Palace: No confirmation yet on ICC arrest warrant for Dela Rosa, others

Malacañang on Thursday said it has not received any formal communication confirming whether the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and other co-accused of former President Rodrigo Duterte in the administration’s controversial war on drugs campaign.

In a press briefing, Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Atty. Claire Castro addressed the issue following a report by Kyodo News, where Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin was quoted as saying that Dela Rosa could be arrested once the ICC warrant is released.

“Sa ngayon, wala pa po tayong natatanggap na anumang communication kung mayroon na pong warrant of arrest para sa mga co-perpetrators ni dating Pangulong Duterte (As of now, we have not received any communication yet indicating that a warrant of arrest has been issued against former President Duterte’s co-perpetrators),” Castro said.

Earlier reports showed that nine individuals were named as co-perpetrators in the ICC’s application for a warrant of arrest related to the drug war, which has drawn international scrutiny for alleged human rights violations.

Dela Rosa, a key figure in the campaign, was cited for his role in “Oplan Tokhang”—a police anti-drug strategy that began in Davao City during his tenure as local police chief.

He later led the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the height of the Duterte administration’s drug war.

Dela Rosa previously denied any violation or corruption related to the former government’s illegal drug crackdown.

He said he would seek clarification from the Supreme Court regarding the ICC’s jurisdiction over the Philippines if the Hague-based tribunal issues an arrest warrant against him.

He also admitted he would consider going into hiding if a warrant is issued.

Incumbent PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III earlier said that police authorities are preparing contingency measures should the ICC proceed with issuing additional warrants.

Duterte was arrested on 11 March by Philippine authorities following an ICC warrant for crimes against humanity.

The former president is currently detained at the ICC detention center in Scheveningen Prison in The Hague, Netherlands.