Sotto: No senator can be arrested inside Senate

Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III on Saturday, 8 November, clarified that authorities are not allowed to make arrests inside the Senate premises.

Sotto made the statement following Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s allegation that the International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued a warrant of arrest against Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa in connection with the Duterte administration's war on drugs.

“I am not [privy] to the warrant being issued. But as I have said in the past and in consultation with some members of the Senate, to preserve the dignity of the Senate, and as a matter of institutional courtesy, we cannot allow any senator to be arrested in the Senate premises,” Sotto told reporters.

“Outside the Senate premises, that’s no longer our concern,” he added.

Dela Rosa served as chief of the Philippine National Police under then-president Rodrigo Duterte, playing a key role as chief architect of the government’s anti-narcotics campaign.

Duterte, 80, has been detained at the ICC detention center in The Hague since 13 March, awaiting trial for alleged crimes against humanity committed during his anti-drug campaign as both Davao City mayor and Philippine president.

ICC prosecutors have charged Duterte with three counts of crimes against humanity, accusing him of involvement in at least 76 killings tied to his drug war.

Dela Rosa, who previously said he is “ready” to join Duterte should the ICC issue an arrest warrant against him, has denied rumors of any ICC arrest.

Dela Rosa’s legal counsel, Atty. Israelito Torreon, said they have not received independent confirmation regarding the veracity of the reports.