MANILA – Families of the victims of former president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs decried the Senate Resolution No. 144 requesting the International Criminal Court (ICC) to place him under house arrest “for humanitarian considerations.”

For them, such resolution is a threat to the security of their families. 

“It’s utterly shameless for Senator Bato [Dela Rosa] to lead this house arrest resolution,” said Dahlia Cuartero, whose son was killed in Duterte’s so-called war on drugs.

“He is despicable and abhorrent for pushing this, and he has dragged the entire Senate into it. They no longer serve the people—they only look after their personal interests and positions. They ignore what is morally right.”

The Senate resolution was adopted last Wednesday, Oct. 1. Among those who voted in favor of the resolution and one of its sponsors was Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, the former Philippine National Police chief who implemented Duterte’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs.

There is no official announcement yet on the arrest of Dela Rosa from the ICC. 

Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay meanwhile said that the Senate resolution is both premature and presumptuous, “since the ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber has yet to determine whether the Duterte camp’s allegations regarding the former despot’s medical condition are true.” 

She added that the Senate resolution also “uncritically echoes Sara Duterte’s unfounded claims that the ICC does not have the personnel and facilities to address her father’s health concerns.”

Palabay said the resolution only showed that the Senate is packed with Duterte lackeys and apologists. 

“What else can we expect from a Senate that includes the likes of Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa and Bong Go, who were Duterte’s lieutenants in his bloody drug war? Or Alan Peter Cayetano, who, as Duterte’s foreign affairs secretary, whitewashed his boss’ crimes and tried hard to furbish his sordid image in the international community? Or Panfilo Lacson, who consolidated Duterte’s fascist agenda against the people by authoring the Anti-Terrorism Act?”

According to ICC assistant to counsel Kristina Conti, ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I “will only consider matters of fact and law as it evaluates both of Duterte’s requests for adjournment (because he is not fit for trial with ‘cognitive impairments’) and for interim release (because he old and allegedly, sick).”

She said that the Senate, as an institution, is not in any way involved in the ICC process. She added that it is unclear how the resolution will be communicated to the international court.

“Unless the Senate has direct knowledge of Rodrigo Duterte’s physical and mental health and their report is transmitted to the ICC through the proper channels, then the resolution will be mere political noise,” said Conti. 

Meanwhile, Llore Pasco of Rise Up for LIfe and for Rights said they hope that the ICC will not allow house arrest. 

“House arrest would be a severe blow and a nightmare for us victims’ families. If this is granted, it will embolden Duterte’s camp to spread more fear,” Pasco said in a statement. 

“Duterte is cunning and deceptive—an expert in weaving lies, dramatic, full of alibis. They will do everything to escape accountability, including Senators Bato and Go. Still, we continue to trust in the just process of the ICC prosecutor and judges. Let us take action together—unite and stand for justice,” Pasco added. 

“We are placing our hope in the ICC process. The ICC should be the one to handle the case of the former president. No matter how many senators appeal for his evasion of accountability, we pray their efforts are denied,” said Tina Pascual, mother of a drug-war victim. 

Meanwhile, Palabay said the Senate resolution is not surprising with the chamber’s sabotage of Vice President Duterte’s impeachment trial and obstructing efforts to hold her accountable for misusing her confidential and intelligence funds. 

“The Senate’s appalling record also leaves us very skeptical about the seriousness of its ongoing investigation of bureaucratic corruption,” stressed Palabay.

“This is a Senate bereft of integrity.” (JDS)