Malacañang on Wednesday urged fugitive Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to surrender to prevent possible bloodshed as authorities seek to enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him.
Her remarks came a day after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said authorities were negotiating with a group protecting Dela Rosa in Mindanao to secure his peaceful turnover and avoid a violent confrontation.
“Sumuko ka na kasi para wala nang dugong dadanak,” Palace Press Office Usec. Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a press briefing.
The Palace spokesperson also warned individuals allegedly sheltering Dela Rosa against helping him evade accountability.
“Doon sa mga nagkakanlong, alam po natin na dapat nating pairalin ang batas. So, huwag kayong magsilbi ng kasangkapan na mga tao na dapat nadidinig din o mga taong dapat napapanagot sa batas,” she said in Filipino.
“Huwag po kayong magsilbing tulay para makaalpas ang mga masasabi nating taong may dapat na kaharapin sa mga taong kanilang di umanong na nabiktima,” she added.
Dela Rosa is wanted by the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity involving murder linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.
