MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has officially ordered law enforcement agencies to arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa following the issuance of a warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with the Duterte administration’s controversial war on drugs.
Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed Thursday that the DOJ directed both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to serve the ICC-issued arrest warrant against Dela Rosa, who served as the country’s top police official and chief architect of the anti-drug campaign during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
Authorities said the senator is now considered a fugitive after reports surfaced that his whereabouts remain unknown amid increasing legal pressure from both local and international authorities.
The ICC warrant is linked to the tribunal’s ongoing investigation into alleged crimes against humanity tied to thousands of deaths recorded during anti-drug operations conducted between 2016 and 2022. Human rights groups and international organizations have long accused authorities of carrying out extrajudicial killings during the campaign, allegations repeatedly denied by Duterte allies and former police officials.
Dela Rosa earlier sought protection from the Supreme Court by filing a petition aimed at blocking any attempt to enforce a possible ICC arrest warrant. However, the High Court reportedly denied the plea, effectively allowing Philippine authorities to proceed with the implementation of the order.
Despite the development, Dela Rosa maintained his innocence, insisting that police officers only fulfilled their mandate in carrying out anti-illegal drug operations. The senator has repeatedly defended the Duterte administration’s drug war, arguing that it was implemented to address criminality and protect the public.
The DOJ also warned that any person found assisting the senator in avoiding arrest may face criminal liability for obstruction of justice.
The issue has further deepened political tensions in the country, particularly between allies of the Duterte family and officials aligned with the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier stated that the Department of the Interior and Local Government would comply with the DOJ’s directive regarding the enforcement of the warrant.
Although the Philippines formally withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019, the ICC continues to assert jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country was still a member of the international tribunal.
The arrest order against Dela Rosa comes amid heightened public and political attention following recent ICC actions involving former president Rodrigo Duterte, making the case one of the most significant and divisive legal and political developments in the country today.
