DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 20 December) – Amid speculations that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant of arrest against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, lawmakers from Davao City filed a bill on Friday classifying as treason the act of surrendering a Filipino national to a foreign state or international organization.
The bill seeks to introduce a new provision in Article 114 of the Revised Penal Code that will penalize “any Filipino citizen who surrenders a Filipino national to a foreign state or other international body, which results in or leads to the interrogation, imprisonment, or death of the said national.”
The proposed measure was filed by Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, and co-authored by his son, 2nd District Rep. Omar S. Duterte, and cousin Puwersa ng Pilipinong Pandagat Rep.
Harold James T. Duterte.
Under their proposed amendment, such an act of treason will be punished with reclusion perpetua (imprisonment ranging from 20 years and one day to 40 years) to death, a fine not exceeding P4 million, and immediate removal from public office if perpetrated by a public officer.
The current provision of Article 114 punishes “any Filipino citizen who levies war against the Philippines or adheres to her enemies, giving them aid or comfort within the Philippines or elsewhere.”
However, as explained by the Supreme Court, the crime of treason is an offense committed only during war with another state and cannot be committed during peacetime.
“Treason is a war crime. It is not an all-time offense. It cannot be committed in peace time. While there is peace, there are no traitors. Treason may be incubated when peace reigns. Treasonable acts may actually be perpetrated during peace, but there are no traitors until war has started,” it said.
The proposed amendment was introduced just weeks after rumors came out that the ICC allegedly issued an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa in connection with his role in the bloody war on drugs during the administration of former President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
Dela Rosa served as the chief of the Philippine National Police, a position he held for 21 months from July 2016 to April 2018.
The former President, arrested on March 12 this year and detained in The Hague, Netherlands, has been charged with crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder, allegedly committed between November 2011 and March 2019.
In a press release issued by Rep. Paolo’s office, the proposed measure is anchored on a fundamental principle that “every Filipino must be able to rely on their country—and its officials—for protection, not betrayal.”
“No government official should have the power to surrender a Filipino to foreign entities, especially when such actions are driven by political expediency or external pressure. Public office is a public trust,” it said.
The Duterte lawmakers maintained that “those who swear an oath to serve the Republic are expected to defend Filipino citizens, uphold national sovereignty, and place loyalty to the country above partisan or political interests.
” (Antonio L. Colina IV/MindaNews)
