A stunning claim has surfaced: a warrant for arrest has been issued against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, with former presidential spokesman Harry Roque urging him to stay abroad and not risk abduction. Roque wrote on Facebook on December 7 that “Sen. Bato, your warrant of arrest is out! Do not allow yourself to be kidnapped! Insist that you have the right to be brought before a Philippine court first”.
Roque’s message echoed an earlier assertion by Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, who said the International Criminal Court (ICC) has ordered Dela Rosa’s arrest over alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings tied to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
However, officials from the Department of Justice, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government have stated they have not received any official ICC communication about such an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa. The DILG also confirmed that Interpol has not issued a Red Notice against the senator.
Dela Rosa, who led the Philippine National Police from 2016 to 2018, oversaw the crackdown ordered under former President Duterte’s violent drug war.
Stay informed with The Manila Times newsletters for the latest updates.
Duterte, who was arrested earlier this year, faces ICC trial over alleged crimes against humanity.
Since Remulla’s disclosure about the ICC warrant, Dela Rosa has kept a low public profile and has not reported to Senate duties.
Roque—now facing human-trafficking charges connected to Lucky South 99, a Philippine offshore gaming operator—and currently seeking asylum in The Netherlands, remains a polarizing figure in public discourse.
