The Department of Justice has refused to confirm reports that it is preparing to implement an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
In a December 4 reply to Dela Rosa’s lawyer Israelito Torreon, the DOJ cited a pending Supreme Court petition as the reason for withholding comment. “Consistent with judicial courtesy accorded to all courts, we regret that we cannot issue any advice or guidance on the matter,” the letter signed by Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin Chan said.
Torreon had asked whether the DOJ received or processed communications from the ICC, Interpol, or foreign governments regarding Dela Rosa’s alleged arrest warrant, red notice, or surrender request, and whether such communications were coordinated through the Department of Foreign Affairs or relayed to local law enforcement agencies.
On November 8, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla said the ICC had issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa. The DOJ verified the authenticity of the letter released by Torreon on social media but offered no further details.
