BREAKING: ICC Issues Arrest Warrant vs Sen. Bato Dela Rosa Over Duterte Drug War — DOJ Verifying Report
By PinasNow News Desk
📅 November 8, 2025 | Manila, Philippines
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has reportedly issued an arrest warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa in connection with alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla confirmed the development during a radio interview, saying he received information “on good authority” regarding the issuance of the warrant.
“The ICC has issued a warrant against Senator Bato Dela Rosa, a warrant of arrest,” Remulla said. “I have it on good authority; someone spoke to me earlier,” he added.
However, the Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that it is still verifying the report and has yet to receive official documentation from the ICC.
“As of this hour, we are currently working to verify this information,” DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez told reporters. “We have not yet seen or received a copy of the warrant. We will release more details once confirmed.”
Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla clarified that no Interpol red notice has been received by the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime, the agency responsible for coordinating with Interpol.
Dela Rosa, who served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at the onset of President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign in 2016, has been among those closely associated with the controversial program.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte is currently detained at The Hague, Netherlands, following his earlier arrest under ICC jurisdiction for related charges.
Official government data cite over 6,000 deaths from police anti-drug operations, while international human rights organizations and ICC prosecutors estimate 12,000 to 30,000 deaths, many allegedly resulting from extrajudicial killings.
The ICC has not yet issued a formal statement confirming the arrest warrant as of press time.
📍 This is a developing story. PinasNow will provide updates as more details become available.
