The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed that it issued an arrest warrant against Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa in connection with alleged killings under the war on drugs campaign of former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration. Based on a 16-page ICC document, the arrest warrant is classified as secret but may be shared with states, international organizations, and other authorized individuals.
ICC Confirms Legitimacy of Warrant
On Monday, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV said a copy of the warrant was sent to the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime. According to ICC spokesperson Orianne Maillet, the tribunal confirmed that the document circulating in the media is legitimate. "This arrest warrant against Mr. Ronald Marapon Dela Rosa was issued confidentially, under seal, by Pre-Trial Chamber I of the ICC on 6 November 2025," Maillet said.
Grounds for Arrest
The warrant states there are reasonable grounds to believe that dela Rosa is guilty as an indirect co-perpetrator in the crime against humanity of murder from July 3, 2016, to the end of April 2018. According to the document, at least 32 individuals were allegedly killed in various parts of the country by law enforcement members, including alleged hitmen and non-police assets, during the height of the anti-drug campaign. Dela Rosa was the first chief of the Philippine National Police under the Duterte administration and one of the main implementers of the war on drugs campaign.
Urgency of Arrest
The ICC prosecution stated that an immediate arrest of dela Rosa is necessary to ensure his appearance before the court. The court also noted reports that dela Rosa threatened an ICC investigator and called those cooperating with the investigation "traitors." Because of this, the ICC said the arrest is needed to prevent possible interference with the investigation and to protect witnesses and victims.
Failed Service of Warrant
Meanwhile, operatives of the National Bureau of Investigation attempted to serve the arrest warrant on dela Rosa while he was at the Senate, but they failed to execute it due to the constitutional provision of the upper chamber of Congress.
