MANILA, Philippines — A civil society group on Wednesday filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman accusing Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Robin Padilla, and suspended Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca of obstruction of justice in connection with the alleged escape of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Tindig Pilipinas submitted the complaint, citing Presidential Decree No. 1829, and alleged that the respondents committed acts that obstructed, impeded, or frustrated the enforcement of legal processes related to Dela Rosa’s arrest.
The group said Cayetano placed Dela Rosa under Senate custody, Padilla transported Dela Rosa away from the Senate premises, and Aplasca obstructed access of National Bureau of Investigation agents, allowing Dela Rosa to leave the Senate building.
The complaint stemmed from a May incident in which Dela Rosa appeared at the Senate after the ICC unsealed an arrest warrant against him. The senator later left the premises during a standoff between Senate security personnel and NBI agents.
Dela Rosa has remained unaccounted for since leaving the Senate.
Tindig Pilipinas also forwarded a copy of the complaint to the ICC “for information,” according to co-convener Sylvia Claudio. Co-convener Kiko Aquino-Dee said the submission was intended to add pressure for Dela Rosa to surrender.
ICC assistant to counsel Kristina Conti said the complaint would not directly affect ICC proceedings but said it could contribute to pressure on Dela Rosa.
The ICC has identified Dela Rosa as a co-perpetrator of former President Rodrigo Duterte in a case involving alleged crimes against humanity linked to killings during the drug war. The tribunal issued an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa in November last year, which became public in May.
Under the complaint, the group said the actions of the respondents fall under Section 1(c) of PD 1829, which penalizes harboring or concealing accused persons.
The Ombudsman has not yet announced any action on the complaint.
