Remulla claims he has ‘unofficial’ ICC warrant vs. Bato; DOJ says none received

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla on Monday claimed he has an “unofficial” copy of the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa — a claim that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has not confirmed.

Remulla told reporters that the copy is saved on his phone, calling it his personal “scoop.”

“I did that as my function for being a ‘journalist’ also last Saturday because I ‘scoop’ it. If you ask me if there’s a warrant — there is. It is on my phone, but this is not an official copy yet. But I know there is,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

The Ombudsman first made the claim in a radio interview over the weekend, saying he had “good authority” to disclose the alleged warrant issued against Dela Rosa, who served as Philippine National Police chief during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

However, the DOJ said Tuesday it has not received any arrest warrant from the ICC.

“At this point in time, the state is seriously studying all options available to it. We are not closing the door on extradition or surrender per se. And until now, we have not seen nor received a copy of this ICC warrant of arrest,” Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan said.

“Everything is still in the theoretical space,” he added.

Remulla, who previously served as DOJ Secretary, insisted he obtained his copy before the department.

“They don’t have it, but I am ahead of them,” he said.

He clarified, however, that the alleged document must still go through official channels before any enforcement could take place.

“In my phone there is a warrant, but this is not an official copy. It will pass through the proper channels for it to be implemented,” Remulla noted.

Meanwhile, Nicolas Kaufman, the lawyer of former president Rodrigo Duterte in his ICC case, dismissed Remulla’s claim as “false.”

Kaufman said it would be illogical for the ICC to release another warrant before the issue of jurisdiction over the Philippines is resolved.

“It is a figment of Ombudsman Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’ Remulla’s fertile imagination,” he said.