Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla clarified today that the Philippine government has yet to receive a formal warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court (ICC) targeting Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
The statement follows a surge of reports claiming the ICC had officially issued the order regarding dela Rosa’s role in the Duterte administration’s lethal anti-drug campaign.
Dela Rosa, who served as the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the first two years of the previous term, is a central figure in the international probe.
Despite the absence of a formal document, Remulla confirmed that the PNP is already mobilizing resources to take the lawmaker into custody the moment a warrant is served.
“The DILG is preparing a 10,000-man task force for dragnet operations in case a warrant of arrest against Senator Bato is issued,” Remulla stated.
Authorities confirmed that dela Rosa is currently in the Davao Region. The senator has reportedly been absent from Senate sessions for several months, following an earlier warning from Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla regarding the likelihood of ICC legal action.