President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has reminded law enforcement agencies to consistently follow the law and observe due process in the implementation of arrest warrants, a Palace official said.
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said the President’s instruction applies to all cases involving the enforcement of warrants, including those linked to Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
“Ang lagi namang utos ng Pangulo sa lahat ng enforcement agencies, sa lahat ng pagkakataon, hindi lamang dito patungkol kay Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa, dapat lamang ay sumunod kung ano ang sinasabi ng batas,” she said in a briefing in Malacañang.
Castro also addressed questions on the Senate’s reported move placing dela Rosa under protective custody after reports of a possible International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.
She said senators have a legislative privilege that may prevent arrest while Congress is in session within Senate premises, but noted that this has limits depending on the nature of the case.
“Mayroon tinatawag na privilege para hindi hulihin ang sinumang senador habang nasa session kapag siya ay nasa vicinity ng Senado. But alam natin na ito ay may limitasyon,” she said, adding it may not apply in cases where the penalty exceeds six years.
On calls for protection, Castro said both victims and accused persons are entitled to government protection, but only within the bounds of the law.
“Lahat naman po ay bibigyan ng proteksiyon na naaayon sa batas,” she said, adding that if an arrest is carried out, the rights of the accused will still be respected.IMT
