The Department of Justice (DOJ) clarified on Tuesday that it has not received any International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa amid circulating rumors.
DOJ Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan said the Philippine government is considering two options if an arrest warrant is issued — extradition or surrender — noting that the latter would be a faster process.
Meanwhile, Kristina Conti, ICC assistant to counsel, explained that a warrant of arrest may be issued if a person under investigation ignores ICC summons.
“Remember that two years back there was talk that he was being summoned or invited to the ICC to cooperate. Hindi niya pinansin, sineen, kaya siguro ‘yung ICC, o ayan mukhang hindi makikipag-cooperate ito voluntarily and a warrant of arrest will be issued,” Conti told ANC.
Over the weekend, rumors spread that the ICC had issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa. However, the DOJ, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), and the Philippine Embassy in The Hague all confirmed that they have not received any document from the ICC, nor has any been uploaded on its online portal.
Dela Rosa, the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, has been accused of being a co-perpetrator in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, which is under ICC investigation for crimes against humanity.
Duterte has been detained in The Hague, Netherlands since March to face the same charges.