Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla confirmed on Saturday, Nov. 8, that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa over his alleged role in crimes against humanity linked to the previous administration’s war on illegal drugs.
Dela Rosa served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained at the ICC detention center in The Hague, Netherlands, facing similar allegations.
Remulla revealed the existence of the ICC warrant during an interview on DZRH’s “Executive Session” program.
He explained that while it is no longer part of his function since he is no longer secretary of the Department of Justice (DOJ), he explained that he was kept abreast of the warrant against Dela Rosa.
“I have it on good authority, kasi public interest ‘to, that the ICC has issued a warrant [of arrest] against Senator Bato Dela Rosa,” he said.
When asked if the ICC arrest order is confirmed, Remulla answered: “I think so, I would say so.”
Remulla said that the Supreme Court (SC) released last Oct. 1 the new rules on extradition, which the DOJ will now have to follow.
“They will have to file it with the DOJ through the Office of the Chief State Counsel. Sila ang mag-uusap, then the Solicitor General will be called to represent the government,” he explained.
While the Philippines has no longer a treaty with the ICC, “we respect the ICC as a legitimate foreign court,” he said.
DOJ Spokesperson Polo Martinez, however, said that that the department is now working to verify Dela Rosa’s ICC arrest order.
“We have not yet seen or received a copy of said arrest warrant. We shall provide further details as soon as it becomes available,” he added. (Czarina Ong Ki)
