Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque advised Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to seek sanctuary at the Supreme Court, claiming that the International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued a warrant for the latter’s arrest.
In a series of Facebook posts late Sunday, Dec. 7 (Manila time), Roque—who is currently applying for asylum in Europe—urged Dela Rosa not to allow himself “to be kidnapped.”
He did not provide documents, official confirmation, or details behind his assertion.
“Sen Bato, your warrant of arrest is out! Huwag ka pa-kidnap!” Roque wrote. “Insist that you have the right to be brought before a Philippine Court first,” he added.
“Sen Bato: mag posas ka na sa loob ng hukuman, preferably sa Supreme Court! Mag sanctuary ka dun! Hwag na hwag ka magpapadukot,” he said.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has not verified the existence of any such warrant as of press time.
Roque’s claim follows repeated public statements from Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, who said in November that the ICC had already issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa in connection with alleged crimes against humanity during the Duterte administration’s drug war.
Remulla reiterated over the weekend that such a warrant exists.
Since his initial revelation, Dela Rosa has not appeared in the Senate.
The senator had filed a “very urgent motion” before the Supreme Court seeking to compel the Ombudsman to produce the warrant, but the Court rejected the request.
Dela Rosa served as Philippine National Police chief from 2016 to 2018 and was widely described as the “architect” of Oplan Tokhang, the Duterte-era campaign that resulted in at least 6,000 deaths based on government data. Human rights groups estimate up to 30,000 fatalities. (Argyll Geducos)
