ICC says it has not issued an arrest warrant against Bato

The International Criminal Court (ICC) cannot confirm circulating reports that it has issued a warrant of arrest against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.

“No, the ICC can’t confirm such news,” tribunal spokesperson Dr. Fadi El-Abdallah told reporters on Monday.

He emphasized that official ICC updates are released solely through its official communications channels and press releases.

“ICC news can be found only on ICC official communications channels and press releases, where you could see that only one case to date has been opened, against Mr. Duterte,” he said.

Earlier, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla claimed that the ICC had issued a warrant against Dela Rosa. Meanwhile, the senator’s camp said it has yet to receive any official notice of such action.

Dela Rosa’s lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon earlier confirmed awareness of the circulating reports but noted that no official documentation has been received.

The ICC Prosecutor has charged former President Rodrigo Duterte with 49 counts of murder and attempted murder, related to his time as Davao City mayor and President, though reports indicate that the actual number of victims during the period was significantly higher.

While no formal case has been filed against Dela Rosa, former Senator Antonio Trillanes previously claimed that Dela Rosa and four other former high-ranking police officials have been identified as suspects in the ICC’s investigation into the Philippine drug war.

Dela Rosa served as the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief during President Duterte’s anti-illegal drug campaign, which began after Duterte’s election in 2016.

Human rights advocates have claimed that the drug war led to the deaths of over 12,000 Filipinos, with at least 2,555 killings and other alleged crimes against humanity attributed to the PNP.