ICC: No New ‘Public Arrest Warrant’ In Philippine Case

Amid reports involving Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, the International Criminal Court (ICC) on Saturday, May 9, clarified that no new arrest warrant has been made public in connection with the investigation involving drug war killings in the Philippines.

“No public arrest warrants have been issued in relation to the situation in the Philippines,” ICC spokesperson Oriane Maillet said in a message to reporters. 

When pressed if any confidential warrant had been issued against Dela Rosa, she said: “We cannot speculate on these matters or on any confidential information.” 

Citing sources, News 5 reported that the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) had already received the arrest warrant against Dela Rosa. 

A check on the ICC’s website showed no such development, although the tribunal does not always disclose if an arrest warrant has been issued against an individual.

“I can neither confirm nor deny,” Palace press officer Claire Castro said in a text message when sought for confirmation.

“None yet to my information,” said Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla when asked if he already has a copy of the warrant. 

But he said the DILG is not taking any chances as it started mobilizing around 10,000 police officers for possible manhunt operations against the senator, who has not been seen in public since November last year when rumors of his impending arrest by the ICC first emerged. 

Remulla has supervision and control over the Philippine National Police (PNP), which Dela Rosa headed during the Duterte administration.

As the first PNP chief of Duterte, Dela Rosa was the chief implementor of the former president’s deadly war on drugs that left thousands dead.

Remulla said Dela Rosa is in the Davao region, moving around on a motorcycle, usually with two companions.

Dela Rosa was named a co-perpetrator in the crimes against humanity case at the ICC against the former president.

He is also being implicated in the killings committed by the so-called Davao death squad during his time as the city’s police chief.

Due process

The PNP is coordinating with the DILG and other concerned government agencies to ensure that operations to arrest Dela Rosa would be carried out in compliance with established legal and operational protocols.

“Any appropriate police action, if and when necessary, shall be undertaken with full adherence to due process, the rule of law and respect for human rights,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

Nartatez maintained they would only follow lawful orders issued by competent authorities.

He also urged the public to refrain from spreading unverified information on online platforms about the alleged ICC warrant against Dela Rosa.

“The public is encouraged to rely only on official statements issued by authorized government agencies,” Nartatez said.

In the case of former president Rodrigo Duterte, the public redacted version of his warrant of arrest was made public only after he was arrested and turned over to the ICC in March 2025. 

Late last year, the ICC adopted new rules concerning the classification of requests for arrest warrants or summons against individuals facing investigations or charges.

Under the amended rules, all applications for arrest warrants or summons to appear “are to be classified as secret or under seal, unless otherwise authorized by a Chamber.”

Dela Rosa has not attended Senate sessions since November, after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla claimed having seen an ICC arrest warrant against the senator.

Robin’s advice

Dela Rosa’s Senate colleague and ally Sen. Robinhood Padilla is urging him remain out of sight – even if it means sitting out the impending impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“That rumor has been there for long but as long as there’s no warrant, I’ll always remind my idol – he doesn’t have to surface. This has always been my advice – don’t show up,” Padilla told radio dwIZ in Filipino.

Padilla declared he would advise Dela Rosa to surrender only to Philippine authorities, not to international bodies.

“If he’s wanted under Philippine law, then I myself will turn him over to authorities. But if it’s foreigners who want him arrested, my heart won’t be able to take it,” Padilla stressed.  

Dela Rosa’s prolonged absence leaves a leadership void in their pro-Duterte bloc ahead of a potential Senate impeachment court convening, with Padilla noting how Dela Rosa had been instrumental in stopping an impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte last year.

“If you will recall, our captain ball in the first impeachment was Bato,” he said, referring to his Senate colleague by his nickname. “I don’t know who is now.” 

Padilla confirmed that he still secretly meets with Dela Rosa, brushing aside its legal implications. 

“He’s not wanted, he’s not a criminal, so I come every time I get summoned,” he said. 

“Just don’t surface. Anyway, I can always go to you if you ask for me,” Padilla added.

He described Dela Rosa’s current physical condition from their last meeting as “very fit, ready for war.”

He also defended Dela Rosa against calls to suspend his salary and allowances due to his non-attendance in plenary sessions, arguing that his office is still running and successfully filing bills. He framed Dela Rosa’s hiding as a patriotic stand against international intervention. 

Padilla claimed Dela Rosa’s job has been carried out largely by his legislative staff, with him being able to sign documents and file bills remotely. – With additional reports from Neil Jayson Servallos and Emmanuel Tupas