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Advocates Philippines
NBI Says It's Ready, No Arrest Operation Underway For Dela Rosa
Photo credit: Senator Bato Dela Rosa
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has clarified that it is prepared to act if a valid arrest order is issued by Philippine courts, but stressed that no manhunt or tracking operation is currently underway involving Senator Ronald dela Rosa.
NBI spokesperson Palmer Mallari said the bureau remains on standby and will only move once it receives proper legal authority and official directives. He emphasized that no instructions have been issued to initiate any arrest-related operations.
The clarification comes amid renewed public discussion surrounding possible developments linked to the International Criminal Court (ICC) probe into the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign. However, as of now, there is no publicly confirmed arrest warrant from the ICC or any Philippine court against Dela Rosa.
Mallari also said the agency is still reviewing recent legal developments, including court actions related to petitions questioning how foreign-issued warrants could be recognized or enforced locally.
The issue is connected to the ICC’s ongoing investigation into alleged crimes against humanity during the Philippines’ anti-drug operations under former President Rodrigo Duterte, where Dela Rosa served as Philippine National Police chief at the height of the campaign. Human rights groups have alleged thousands of deaths linked to the campaign, while government figures report lower numbers.
The Philippines withdrew from the International Criminal Court in 2019 under then-President Rodrigo Duterte, but the ICC maintains it still has jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country was a member of the Rome Statute.
Legal debate continues over how Philippine authorities would respond if an international warrant is eventually issued and recognized through local legal processes. The Supreme Court of the Philippines has also been the venue of petitions seeking clarification on enforcement rules involving foreign or ICC-related warrants.
As of this writing, authorities have not confirmed any active arrest warrant, and the NBI reiterated that any enforcement action would depend entirely on lawful procedures and proper government authorization.
NBI spokesperson Palmer Mallari said the bureau remains on standby and will only move once it receives proper legal authority and official directives. He emphasized that no instructions have been issued to initiate any arrest-related operations.
The clarification comes amid renewed public discussion surrounding possible developments linked to the International Criminal Court (ICC) probe into the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign. However, as of now, there is no publicly confirmed arrest warrant from the ICC or any Philippine court against Dela Rosa.
Mallari also said the agency is still reviewing recent legal developments, including court actions related to petitions questioning how foreign-issued warrants could be recognized or enforced locally.
The issue is connected to the ICC’s ongoing investigation into alleged crimes against humanity during the Philippines’ anti-drug operations under former President Rodrigo Duterte, where Dela Rosa served as Philippine National Police chief at the height of the campaign. Human rights groups have alleged thousands of deaths linked to the campaign, while government figures report lower numbers.
The Philippines withdrew from the International Criminal Court in 2019 under then-President Rodrigo Duterte, but the ICC maintains it still has jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country was a member of the Rome Statute.
Legal debate continues over how Philippine authorities would respond if an international warrant is eventually issued and recognized through local legal processes. The Supreme Court of the Philippines has also been the venue of petitions seeking clarification on enforcement rules involving foreign or ICC-related warrants.
As of this writing, authorities have not confirmed any active arrest warrant, and the NBI reiterated that any enforcement action would depend entirely on lawful procedures and proper government authorization.
May 20, 2026
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