Human rights advocates, religious leaders, academics, youth groups, labor organizers, and families of victims of the Duterte administration’s drug war lodged a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman on Wednesday against Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Robinhood Padilla, and suspended OSAA chief Mao Aplasca.
The complaint, filed by representatives of Tindig Pilipinas led by convenors Francis Joseph Aquino Dee and Sylvia Estrada Claudio, accuses the officials of obstructing justice in connection with the reported evasion of arrest by Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa inside the Senate premises.
The filing comes amid mounting public concern that state officials and security personnel may have facilitated Dela Rosa’s escape despite a standing warrant from the International Criminal Court over crimes against humanity linked to Duterte’s bloody drug war.
“The rule of law requires accountability. Public office must never be used as a shield against justice,” Aquino Dee said, stressing that the case is about defending institutional integrity and ensuring accountability mechanisms function without political interference.
Complainants, including Fr. Flavie Villanueva, Randy delos Santos, Judy Ann Chan Miranda of Partido Manggagawa, Susan Balindo of Baigani Feminist Collective, and representatives from Magdalo Party, Student Council Alliance of the Philippines, Youth Resist, and other groups, urged the Ombudsman to conduct an impartial investigation.
They rejected claims that the ICC process undermines Philippine sovereignty, arguing instead that pursuing justice for grave crimes affirms the country’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law. # (ZIA LUNA)
