MANILA — Grace Nancy Dela Rosa, wife of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, appealed to the judiciary to refrain from allowing her husband to be brought to The Hague amid concerns over the International Criminal Court (ICC) case linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

In a public statement, Dela Rosa urged the courts not to become “an accessory” to surrendering another Filipino to an international tribunal, stressing that Filipinos should be tried within the country.

“Please do not be an accessory to bringing my husband to the Hague. Every Filipino must be tried in his own country,” she said.

She argued that permitting authorities to “voluntary surrender another Filipino” would signal weakness in the country’s ability to handle its own cases.

“Granting the people in power permission to voluntary surrender another filipino is an admission that you are weak and INCAPABLE of handling this case, thus the need for an international court to intervene,” she said.

Dela Rosa also appealed to the judiciary not to delay action, saying time was critical as authorities could move closer to arresting the senator.

“We do not have the luxury of time to wait for your technical arguments and debates. Every moment you remain undecided is an opportunity for them to close in on Bato,” she said.

Citing former president Rodrigo Duterte’s actions during his administration, she said Filipinos should not be surrendered to foreign jurisdictions.

“If we must learn from the Duterte case, it is that, NOT to give up another Filipino!!!” she said.

“During PRRD’s time, he went to great lengths to bring every Filipino home, even the convicted ones. During these times, they are going to great lengths to surrender another group of Filipinos,” she added.

She also called on the judiciary to defend the country’s sovereignty and fulfill its responsibility to protect Filipinos.

“Please do not give up your responsibility for our countrymen. Please fight for our sovereign rights. Your decision will be remembered in history. Please make it count,” she said.

Dela Rosa ended her statement by saying the fight was not only for her husband but also for the Filipino people and the country.

“Laban ko to para sa asawa ko. Pero laban nating lahat to para sa bawat pilipino at para sa ating bayan,” she said.