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Advocates Philippines
ICC Confirms Secret Arrest Warrant Against Bato Dela Rosa
FILE
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has officially confirmed that an arrest warrant was issued against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa over his alleged role in the Duterte administration’s controversial war on drugs.
The confirmation came Monday after days of speculation in the Philippines surrounding reports that the former Philippine National Police chief was facing possible arrest for crimes against humanity.
According to the ICC, the warrant against dela Rosa was issued confidentially by Pre-Trial Chamber I on November 6, 2025 and remained under seal. The court said it is now in the process of unsealing the document for public release.
The development follows claims by former senator Antonio Trillanes IV that a copy of the ICC warrant had already been transmitted to Philippine authorities. Trillanes later appeared at the Senate carrying what he said was a copy of the warrant.
Earlier reports created confusion after the ICC initially clarified over the weekend that there were “no public arrest warrants” issued in relation to the Philippines. Several local news organizations interpreted the statement to mean that no warrant existed at all. However, the ICC’s latest clarification confirmed that the warrant did exist but had been kept confidential.
Reports said the warrant accuses dela Rosa of crimes against humanity tied to killings linked to the Duterte-era anti-drug campaign.
Dela Rosa served as Philippine National Police chief from 2016 to 2018 and became one of the most visible figures in Duterte’s war on drugs, which left thousands dead. Human rights groups estimate the death toll reached as high as 30,000, while government figures place the number at over 6,000.
The ICC has maintained that it still has jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the Philippines was still a member of the Rome Statute, despite the country’s withdrawal from the treaty in 2019.
The issue intensified further after reports emerged that dela Rosa had sought protection inside the Senate building amid fears that authorities could attempt to serve the warrant. Reports also said the Senate briefly went on lockdown while National Bureau of Investigation personnel were seen near the premises.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, however, clarified that Philippine authorities cannot automatically enforce the ICC warrant unless it is formally transmitted through Interpol or other official international channels. He also said the government had not yet received any officially served copy of the warrant.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government confirmed that a separate domestic investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings is also underway. Remulla earlier said dela Rosa would be summoned as part of a broader accountability probe into Duterte-era anti-drug operations.
Dela Rosa has repeatedly denied involvement in unlawful killings and previously said he was prepared to face the ICC if necessary.
The confirmation came Monday after days of speculation in the Philippines surrounding reports that the former Philippine National Police chief was facing possible arrest for crimes against humanity.
According to the ICC, the warrant against dela Rosa was issued confidentially by Pre-Trial Chamber I on November 6, 2025 and remained under seal. The court said it is now in the process of unsealing the document for public release.
The development follows claims by former senator Antonio Trillanes IV that a copy of the ICC warrant had already been transmitted to Philippine authorities. Trillanes later appeared at the Senate carrying what he said was a copy of the warrant.
Earlier reports created confusion after the ICC initially clarified over the weekend that there were “no public arrest warrants” issued in relation to the Philippines. Several local news organizations interpreted the statement to mean that no warrant existed at all. However, the ICC’s latest clarification confirmed that the warrant did exist but had been kept confidential.
Reports said the warrant accuses dela Rosa of crimes against humanity tied to killings linked to the Duterte-era anti-drug campaign.
Dela Rosa served as Philippine National Police chief from 2016 to 2018 and became one of the most visible figures in Duterte’s war on drugs, which left thousands dead. Human rights groups estimate the death toll reached as high as 30,000, while government figures place the number at over 6,000.
The ICC has maintained that it still has jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the Philippines was still a member of the Rome Statute, despite the country’s withdrawal from the treaty in 2019.
The issue intensified further after reports emerged that dela Rosa had sought protection inside the Senate building amid fears that authorities could attempt to serve the warrant. Reports also said the Senate briefly went on lockdown while National Bureau of Investigation personnel were seen near the premises.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, however, clarified that Philippine authorities cannot automatically enforce the ICC warrant unless it is formally transmitted through Interpol or other official international channels. He also said the government had not yet received any officially served copy of the warrant.
Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government confirmed that a separate domestic investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings is also underway. Remulla earlier said dela Rosa would be summoned as part of a broader accountability probe into Duterte-era anti-drug operations.
Dela Rosa has repeatedly denied involvement in unlawful killings and previously said he was prepared to face the ICC if necessary.
May 11, 2026
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