Human rights group Rise Up for Life and for Rights on Wednesday condemned what it described as the government’s failure to ensure the arrest and surrender of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to the International Criminal Court, following reports that the senator allegedly left the Senate of the Philippines amid a security incident and confusion inside the chamber.
The group, which represents families of victims of alleged drug war killings, expressed anger over what it called “impunity” and accountability gaps in the Marcos Jr. administration.
Llore Pasco, whose sons were victims of alleged extrajudicial killings, criticized the situation, saying it reflects a failure of justice for families affected by the anti-drug campaign.
“Nakakagalit ang kainutilan at kapalpakan ng administrasyon ni Marcos. Hindi kapata-patawad na nakatakas si Bato dela Rosa mula sa Senado,” Pasco said.
The statement comes in the wake of conflicting accounts surrounding the senator’s whereabouts after reports of gunfire and heightened tensions inside the Senate.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano earlier confirmed that dela Rosa had already left the Senate, reading a message from the senator’s wife explaining that his departure was influenced by the chaotic situation and concerns for safety.
The group also called for accountability for individuals allegedly involved in assisting or allowing dela Rosa’s departure during the incident, urging a broader investigation into what it described as lapses in security and governance.
Rise Up national coordinator Rubylin Litao questioned whether political negotiations may have influenced the handling of the situation, stressing that justice should not be compromised by political considerations.
“We reiterate that justice should not be treated as a bargaining chip,” Litao said, calling on the government to fulfill its international obligations regarding the ICC case.
Authorities have yet to issue a final and consolidated report on the Senate security incident, which remains under investigation amid competing accounts from government agencies and security officials.
