In Philippine politics, a fugitive warns ICC could target fellow Duterte ally
A fugitive former Duterte aide has publicly warned a Philippine senator, who was the chief implementer of a deadly war on drugs, that an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him is already in effect.
This, even as the Philippine government insists no such order has been confirmed.
Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, now facing a potential Interpol red notice request, has claimed that the ICC has issued a warrant for Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa over his role in former president Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly drug war. Roque offered no source for his information.
“Sen. Bato, your warrant of arrest is out! Don’t let yourself be kidnapped!” Roque said in a Facebook post, urging the senator to insist on being brought before a Philippine court first. His warning also echoed the “kidnapping” narrative that supporters tried to frame Duterte’s arrest in.
The Department of Justice has yet to confirm the claim. Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed in November that an ICC warrant already existed, though the document has never been made public. Since then, Dela Rosa has stopped attending Senate sessions.
Dela Rosa asked the Supreme Court to compel the Ombudsman to release the supposed warrant, but the high court rejected his petition. The Office of the Solicitor General maintains there is no official basis for fears of an ICC arrest.
Dela Rosa, Duterte’s former police chief, is considered one of the architects of Oplan Tokhang, the anti-drug campaign that killed at least 6,000 people according to government data. Human rights groups estimate the death toll at up to 30,000.
On Monday, Dela Rosa’s lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon, said the senator is simply waiting for official procedure before facing any ICC order — if it exists. He said neither Dela Rosa nor his legal team has seen an actual warrant.
“We should have clear-cut implementing rules,” Torreon said, adding that cooperation with the ICC must follow both the Rome Statute and Philippine law. He said he believes a warrant may already have been issued but cannot confirm it.
Torreon also defended Dela Rosa’s continued absence from the Senate, saying it stemmed from legitimate concerns for the senator’s safety. He warned that Dela Rosa could be picked up and taken to the ICC without legal safeguards, which he called unacceptable.
Despite criticism, Torreon said they welcome public scrutiny: “It means they are really keeping an eye on Sen. Bato.”
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
