The Department of Justice (DOJ) has ordered law enforcement agencies to execute an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, prompting sharp criticism from Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla over the former police chief’s apparent evasion of authorities.
Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida issued the directive to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) just a day after the Supreme Court rejected Dela Rosa’s plea to block the warrant’s implementation.
The ICC warrant stems from alleged crimes against humanity connected to the previous administration’s deadly anti-drug campaign.
In a radio interview, Ombudsman Remulla did not mince words, calling the senator’s situation deeply ironic.
“Imagine, ‘no, dating chief of PNP ‘yon, tumatakbo sa batas. Hindi ba siya nahihiya?” Remulla said. “Ordinary citizen ka, isipin mo, chief of PNP na dati kayong nagpapatupad ng batas, ngayon tumatakbo ka sa batas.”
Imagine, that is a former chief of the PNP running from the law. Is he not ashamed? Think about it as an ordinary citizen, you are a former PNP chief who used to enforce the law, and now you are running from the law.
Remulla challenged the lawmaker to face the international court’s allegations head-on, reminding him of his constitutional duty as an elected official.
“‘Wag ka tumakbo. Harapin mo! Nilagay ka ng taumbayan dyan para harapin ang problema, hindi para takbuhan. Kung tatakbuhan mo ang problema, ‘wag ka na pumunta sa Senado,” Remulla added.
Do not run. Face it! The people put you there to confront problems, not to run away from them. If you are just going to run away from the problem, then do not bother going to the Senate anymore.
The development follows a tense standoff at the legislative building. On May 11, Dela Rosa was placed under the protective custody of the Senate after NBI agents attempted to pursue him upon his arrival. The senator remained holed up inside the complex for several days.
He finally left the premises on May 14, hours after a chaotic confrontation and gunfire broke out between Senate security personnel and NBI operatives.
According to the ICC Prosecutor, the arrest warrant was originally issued under seal on November 6, 2025, following an official application filed on November 3, 2025. The warrant has since been formally transmitted to Philippine authorities for enforcement.