MANILA — Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida appealed to Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to surrender to authorities after the lawmaker reportedly went out of public view again amid an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In a media report, it sid that last week, Vida directed law enforcement agencies to arrest dela Rosa, describing him as a fugitive from justice.

“Sa akin po, pakiusap bilang kapwa Pilipino kay Senator Bato dela Rosa, heed the call of the rule of law. Alam ninyo, kapag may arrest warrant, dapat sine-serve at dapat sinusunod,” he said in a press briefing.

Dela Rosa is the subject of an ICC arrest warrant for alleged criminal responsibility as an indirect co-perpetrator in crimes against humanity of murder from July 3, 2016, until the end of April 2018, involving at least 32 deaths.

Authorities earlier attempted to serve the warrant on May 11, leading to a chase inside the Senate. He was later placed under Senate protective custody before leaving the premises on May 14.

Vida said all indications show that Dela Rosa remains within Philippine jurisdiction.

He also said the Department of Justice (DOJ) is reviewing possible liability involving Senator Robin Padilla, who admitted that Dela Rosa “hitched a ride” out of the Senate building on May 14.

“Kayo na rin po ang nagsabi kung bakit hindi na namin siya tinatanong. Ang dami na ho niyang inamin na ginawa niya,” Vida said when asked about possible subpoenas.

“Our panel of prosecutors will study everything… that, based on these admissions, based on this factual milieu or factual circumstance, can lead to a conclusion that he or a person is probably guilty of a particular crime. Hindi naman po lagi kailangan tatanungin pa, dahil may mga bagay ho factual na,” he added.

Vida said the DOJ remains open to hearing Padilla’s explanation, although the senator has denied helping Dela Rosa escape.

He warned that public officials found guilty of obstruction of justice may face perpetual disqualification from public office.

“Let me remind also that if you are a public official or employee found guilty of committing these acts, there’s an accessory penalty that you would be perpetually disqualified from holding public office,” he said.

Vida also said the DOJ will send a letter to Atty. Jimmy Bondoc, legal counsel of Dela Rosa, requesting information on the senator’s whereabouts after Bondoc earlier said he knew his client’s location.

He stressed that client-lawyer privilege does not excuse concealment of suspects or obstruction of legal processes, adding that Bondoc may face liability if he refuses to cooperate.

Bondoc, however, denied having knowledge of Dela Rosa’s whereabouts, saying there is no evidence the senator is armed and dangerous and maintaining he will comply with legal processes.

Separately, Vida said DOJ prosecutors have issued subpoenas to the Senate Secretariat, Commission on Audit, and Philippine National Police for documents and firearm inventories linked to a separate investigation involving a gun-related incident at the Senate.