Manila Times
Upholding Truth. Empowering the Philippines
Saturday, May 24, 2025
The Nation's Story is Told with Honor
Senator Dela Rosa Alleges ICC Investigators Are Coercing Testimonies from Retired Police Officers
Senator Ronald Dela Rosa raises concerns about the actions of International Criminal Court investigators in the Philippines, advocating for their removal and hinting at a congressional inquiry.
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa has called for an investigation into allegations that investigators from the International Criminal Court (ICC) have been coercing retired police officers to testify against him and former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The senator claims that the ICC has an ongoing mission at a hotel in Pasay City, where they are gathering affidavits related to crimes against humanity being investigated in The Hague, Netherlands.
Dela Rosa expressed his intention to convene hearings in the 20th Congress regarding the alleged threats made by ICC investigators, whom he referred to as "traitors to our sovereignty." The senator voiced his belief that those involved in the purported coercion should be held accountable.
He urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expel the ICC investigators to demonstrate a commitment to political reconciliation.
According to Dela Rosa, retired police officers have been approached by these investigators under distressing circumstances, where they allegedly feel threatened and are pressured to sign affidavits that would implicate him and Duterte.
Dela Rosa stated, "They are scaring our police officers...
It is a troubling situation for them."
In a related statement during an interview with a news program, Dela Rosa emphasized that if President Marcos is sincere about reconciliation, he should order the deportation of the ICC investigators currently alleged to be intimidating police personnel.
He remarked on the contradiction of the government's stance that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines while such activities are reportedly ongoing.
The senator asserted that a thorough congressional investigation would be essential to address the matter, as he includes the gathering of testimony from those affected by the alleged intimidation.
Dela Rosa's assertions highlight ongoing tensions surrounding the ICC's investigations related to the controversial anti-drug campaign initiated under the Duterte administration, which has faced scrutiny and accusations of human rights violations.
The senator claims that the ICC has an ongoing mission at a hotel in Pasay City, where they are gathering affidavits related to crimes against humanity being investigated in The Hague, Netherlands.
Dela Rosa expressed his intention to convene hearings in the 20th Congress regarding the alleged threats made by ICC investigators, whom he referred to as "traitors to our sovereignty." The senator voiced his belief that those involved in the purported coercion should be held accountable.
He urged President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to expel the ICC investigators to demonstrate a commitment to political reconciliation.
According to Dela Rosa, retired police officers have been approached by these investigators under distressing circumstances, where they allegedly feel threatened and are pressured to sign affidavits that would implicate him and Duterte.
Dela Rosa stated, "They are scaring our police officers...
It is a troubling situation for them."
In a related statement during an interview with a news program, Dela Rosa emphasized that if President Marcos is sincere about reconciliation, he should order the deportation of the ICC investigators currently alleged to be intimidating police personnel.
He remarked on the contradiction of the government's stance that the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines while such activities are reportedly ongoing.
The senator asserted that a thorough congressional investigation would be essential to address the matter, as he includes the gathering of testimony from those affected by the alleged intimidation.
Dela Rosa's assertions highlight ongoing tensions surrounding the ICC's investigations related to the controversial anti-drug campaign initiated under the Duterte administration, which has faced scrutiny and accusations of human rights violations.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
