Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said Wednesday that Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is believed to be in Davao following reports of an alleged arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
However, Remulla said the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) cannot take any action because it has not received a formal copy of the supposed ICC order.
In an interview, Remulla said dela Rosa has not returned to his home in Cavite and is believed to be staying in Davao with his family.
He added that the agency cannot move without an official warrant, noting that no verified document has been presented so far and that the reports remain unconfirmed.
Dela Rosa has not made any public appearances and has skipped Senate hearings and sessions after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, the interior secretary’s brother, said the ICC had reportedly issued a warrant against the senator. The Ombudsman also said he has an unofficial copy of the order.
Dela Rosa served as chief of the Philippine National Police during the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV earlier said dela Rosa and four other former senior police officials were named as suspects in the ICC’s crimes against humanity investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs. Trillanes is among those who filed a case before the ICC.
Meanwhile, dela Rosa’s lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon, said the government has no legal basis to turn over Filipino citizens to an international court due to the absence of rules governing the process.