The Department of Justice (DOJ) has not received any International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant of arrest for Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon confirmed on Monday, December 8.
“We have not officially received and neither have we seen a copy of the warrant of arrest against Sen. dela Rosa as of this time,” Fadullon said, addressing claims made by former Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
Roque, now seeking asylum in Europe, alleged on Facebook that the ICC had already issued a warrant and urged dela Rosa to take refuge at the Supreme Court.
“Sen. Bato, your warrant of arrest is out! Hwag ka pa-kidnap!” he wrote, adding, “Sen Bato: mag posas ka na sa loob ng hukuman, preferably sa Supreme Court! Mag sanctuary ka dun! Hwag na hwag ka magpapadukot!”
The DOJ has not verified any such warrant. Roque’s assertions came after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla earlier claimed that an ICC warrant had been issued in relation to alleged crimes against humanity tied to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Dela Rosa, the former PNP chief and known “architect” of Oplan Tokhang, has not appeared in the Senate since Remulla’s statement. His urgent plea for the Supreme Court to compel the Ombudsman to produce the alleged warrant was denied.
The ICC recently adopted stricter confidentiality rules, placing arrest warrant applications “under seal” unless lifted by a chamber. Any confirmed warrant for dela Rosa would follow the March 2025 arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who faces similar charges.
Malacañang has maintained that even if a warrant exists, dela Rosa cannot be automatically surrendered, citing Supreme Court rules requiring judicial processing before any turnover to the ICC.