Daily Tribune
Is Bato next? Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa is reportedly facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court over his alleged role in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial drug war. However, several agencies have dismissed claims of such an order.
Daily Tribune file photo
The Supreme Court was asked by Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) to prevent the government from implementing the arrest warrant allegedly issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In his urgent manifestation with a reiterative prayer, he asked the High Court to issue a TRO or a writ of preliminary injunction that would bar the government from doing the following: enforcing, facilitating, or coordinating the implementation of any ICC warrant, red notice, or surrender request; extending any form of logistical, financial, or protective assistance to ICC witnesses through the Witness Protection Program or any similar office; and transmitting any ICC-related communication and correspondence through diplomatic or law enforcement channels pending the final resolution of this case.
The senator also asked the SC to direct the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to confirm or deny whether any ICC-related warrant or communication was received, transmitted, or processed through official channels within 72 hours.
This manifestation is tied to the petition that Dela Rosa and former President Rodrigo Duterte filed in March following the latter’s arrest and subsequent transfer to The Hague. The petition sought to prevent the government from cooperating with the ICC in enforcing arrest warrants, summons, or requests.
The move came after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla announced over the weekend that the ICC had reportedly issued a warrant against the senator. Remulla stood by his remarks even without official confirmation from the ICC and the DOJ, saying he has an unofficial copy of the warrant.
The DOJ, for its part, said the Philippine government will carry out the arrest warrant if the ICC issues it, and that the government can choose to extradite or surrender Dela Rosa to the tribunal.
Dela Rosa’s counsel, Atty. Israelito Torreon, meanwhile argued that the government has no legal basis to surrender any of its citizens to an international tribunal due to the absence of rules governing the process.
Dela Rosa served as chief of the Philippine National Police during the implementation of the drug war under the Duterte administration.
