Former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque advised Senator Bato Dela Rosa not to travel abroad, claiming the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant for his arrest.
“Sen. Bato, your warrant of arrest is out! Huwag ka pa-kidnap! Insist that you have the right to be brought before a Philippine court first!” Roque wrote on Facebook on December 7.
His statement echoed Ombudsman Boying Remulla’s earlier claim linking Dela Rosa to alleged extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
However, the Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) clarified that they have received no official communication from the ICC regarding any arrest warrant. The DILG added that Interpol has not issued a Red Notice for the senator.
Dela Rosa, who led the Philippine National Police from 2016 to 2018, has not been seen publicly or reported to work at the Senate since Remulla’s disclosure.
Roque, meanwhile, faces human trafficking charges related to the Lucky South 99 Philippine offshore gaming operation and is seeking asylum in The Netherlands.