Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla on Saturday, 08 November 2025, said in a radio interview that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has released an arrest warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
The Ombudsman, who continuously advocates transparency in his agency, noted that he has “good authority” to disclose the information as it is a matter of public interest.
“I have it in good authority because this is a public interest program, that the ICC has issued a warrant against Senator Bato dela Rosa, a warrant of arrest,” Remulla said.
During the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte, Sen. Dela Rosa served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the height of the war on drugs.
The former president surrendered on 12 March 2025 to the ICC after being arrested by Philippine authorities led by then-PNP chief Nicolas Torre. Duterte is currently at the ICC detention center in The Hague for alleged crimes against humanity.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is still verifying the information announced by the Ombudsman. According to current DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez, they are working to confirm the report.
“We have also not yet seen or received a copy of said arrest warrant. We shall provide further details as soon as it becomes available,” Martinez said.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), an agency led by the Ombudsman’s brother, Secretary Benjamin Remulla, said the government has not received any Interpol red notice against Sen. Dela Rosa.
“As of 11:30 a.m. today (Saturday, 08 November), the Center for Transnational Crimes has not received any red notice against Senator Ronald dela Rosa. At present, there is no actionable document for the department to respond to,” DILG announced.
Meanwhile, during a forum, Bicol-Saro Representative Terry Ridon stated that this could be a “chance” for the senator to accompany the former president, citing that Duterte’s last statement at The Hague appeared to “accept” the consequences of the war on drugs during his term.
“I think in the similar manner we will want to see Senator Bato Dela Rosa face the ICC as well and go with the former president, when reportedly on the week of the arrest of the former president, Sen. Bato Dela Rosa clearly stated that he will accompany the former president in The Hague at the International Criminal Court. This is a chance for Senator Bato Dela Rosa to accompany the former president,” Rep. Ridon said.
“He needs to face accountability for the Duterte drug war under ICC prosecution,” he added.