DOJ to wait for SC decision on cases questioning FPRRD's arrest

BEFORE ACTING ON ANY REQUEST FOR EXTRADITION OF 'BATO'

- By JEFFREY DAMICOG

The Department of Justice (DOJ) would rather wait for the Supreme Court (SC) decision on the petitions challenging the March 11 arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte before acting on any possible arrest order that may be issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Sen. Ronald "Bato" M. Dela Rosa.

In the afternoon of March 11, Dela Rosa and Duterte filed with the SC a petition which sought the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO) or writ of preliminary injunction against the former president's arrest.

Thereafter, several other petitions were filed with the SC by Duterte's children, also against the arrest and the turnover of the former present to The Hague in Netherlands where is now detained on charges of crimes against humanity in relation to the illegal drugs war during his term as mayor Davao City and early years of his presidency.

All the SC petitions are still pending resolution.