By Rhianna Ramos

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has reportedly issued a warrant of arrest against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa for his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, according to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla on Saturday, November 8.

Remulla stated during his DZRH radio program, “I have it in good authority kasi public interest ito. The ICC has issued a warrant against Senator Bato Dela Rosa — a warrant of arrest.”

He explained that although he no longer heads the Department of Justice (DOJ), he was informed of the matter by a credible source.

However, DOJ spokesperson Atty. Raphael Niccolo “Polo” Martinez said, “As of this hour, we are currently working to verify this information.”

He added, “We have not yet seen or received a copy of said arrest warrant. We shall provide further details as soon as it becomes available.”

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla — the Ombudsman’s brother — stated that the Center for Transnational Crime had not yet received any red notice from Interpol.

Meanwhile the camp of Dela Rosa said that it had not yet received any official confirmation of the ICC’s order.

Senator Dela Rosa’s lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon, urged caution in spreading unverified information, saying, “We therefore urge the public and the media to exercise restraint until verified information is officially released by competent authorities or the ICC itself.”

Dela Rosa, who served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the start of the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign “Oplan Tokhang,” had been repeatedly mentioned in the ICC’s probe into alleged extrajudicial killings from 2016 to 2019.

Previously, the senator had also emphasized that he was “ready to join former president Duterte” if the ICC summoned him.

Ombudsman Remulla explained that any ICC-related request would go through the DOJ and the Solicitor General, following the new Supreme Court (SC) rules on extradition released last October 1.

He added, “They will have to file it with the DOJ through the Office of the Chief State Counsel, then the Solicitor General will be called to represent the government.”

As of press time, Malacañang and the ICC had not yet issued any formal statement confirming the warrant.