The Department of Justice (DOJ) officially acknowledged on Friday that the Philippine government has received an arrest warrant and a formal request for service from the International Criminal Court (ICC) targeting Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
Acting Justice Secretary Frederrick Vida confirmed the receipt of the document, which stems from Dela Rosa’s alleged role in crimes against humanity during the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign.
“On the arrest warrant issued by the ICC against Senator Bato de la Rosa, with this press briefing, I do confirm that there is a valid ICC arrest warrant and a pending request from ICC to serve the same has been duly received by the Philippines.”
While the warrant is now in government hands, Secretary Vida clarified that an arrest is not imminent. The DOJ is currently weighing the legal complexities of serving a warrant to a sitting member of a co-equal branch of government, while also monitoring Dela Rosa’s petition for judicial protection currently pending before the Supreme Court.
The DOJ hinted that the Senator’s freedom of movement might be the primary catalyst for further action, suggesting that international travel could change the government’s current stance.
“Sitting Senator si Sen. Bato, nirerespeto natin, pero kapag umaalis siya ng bansa, teka ibang usapan na ‘to.”
Dela Rosa, the former top cop of the Duterte administration, continues to stay under the protective custody of the Senate following the unsealing of the warrant earlier this week.