“I do confirm that there is a valid ICC arrest warrant.”
This was the statement made by Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida regarding the case involving Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa is facing criminal charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC) over his alleged role as a co-perpetrator in the crimes against humanity case linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.
The senator served as chief of the Philippine National Police from July 2016 to April 2018 during the early years of the Duterte administration.
Read: Former President Rodrigo Duterte arrested on ICC warrant
Duterte is awaiting trial in The Hague, Netherlands, on crimes against humanity charges tied to alleged widespread extrajudicial killings during his presidency.
CAN DELA ROSA NOW BE ARRESTED?
Vida added that Philippine authorities have already received the ICC-issued arrest warrant against dela Rosa.
However, law enforcement agencies are still awaiting the Philippine Supreme Court’s ruling on the senator’s emergency petition questioning the legality of the arrest.
Dela Rosa has argued that he cannot be compelled to cooperate with authorities in the absence of a warrant issued by a local court.
Meanwhile, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) said that a formal notice from the ICC channeled through the Interpol is necessary for the local police to act on the warrant.
Interpol, or the International Criminal Police Organization, is the world’s largest international police network, linking law enforcement agencies from 196 member countries.
It deals with global crime prevention and cross-border cooperation by enabling police forces to securely exchange intelligence, track fugitives, and address transnational threats.
AUTHORITIES ON HIGH ALERT
Dela Rosa had not been seen in public for months, dating back to last year.
Read: Bato dela Rosa logs most absences among 24 senators
He resurfaced on Monday, May 11, to take part in the vote that installed Allan Peter Cayetano as the new Senate president.
Read: Agot Isidro slams 13 senators who voted for Alan Peter Cayetano
This development enabled pro-Duterte lawmakers to regain control of the chamber and may influence the impeachment case against Vice President Sara Duterte.
Read: How celebrity lawmakers voted in Sara Duterte impeachment case
Dela Rosa has reportedly gone into hiding again since Thursday, May 14, 2026, after leaving the senate premises.
To prevent dela Rosa from escaping the country to evade possible arrest, the Department of Justice had sent out an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) against the former PNP chief.
“The DOJ will treat any attempt by Senator Bato dela Rosa to leave the country as a mockery of justice,” stressed Vida.
“And I am giving specific orders to law enforcement agents, to our border control authority, that if Senator Bato dela Rosa would try to leave the country that the appropriate arrest should be made."