Malacañang clarified on Saturday that it has yet to receive confirmation regarding reports claiming that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
The statement came eight months after former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest by the ICC over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the administration’s bloody war on drugs—an anti-narcotics campaign Dela Rosa helped lead as the former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
In a message to reporters, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said there was “no confirmation” from Malacañang on the reported warrant, following Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla’s earlier remark suggesting its issuance.
“No confirmation. Busy sa ‘Uwan,’” Castro told the media, referring to the government’s ongoing preparations for Typhoon Uwan’s expected landfall in Northern and Central Luzon.
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, brother of the Ombudsman, said no “red notice” from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) has been received as of Saturday morning.
“As per the Center for Transnational Crimes, there has been no red notice issued by the Interpol as of 10 minutes ago,” Remulla said.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) likewise confirmed that it has not yet received any official communication or notification from Interpol regarding the supposed ICC arrest warrant.