MANILA — The International Criminal Court (ICC) has confirmed that the arrest warrant circulating in Philippine media against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is genuine, amid scrutiny over his role in the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign.
In a statement sent to reporters on Monday, the ICC said the document released by Philippine authorities is an official court-issued warrant.
“The International Criminal Court confirms that the document published by national authorities of the Republic of the Philippines and circulated in media is indeed a formal ICC document,” the court said.
The ICC added that the warrant was issued under seal by its Pre-Trial Chamber I on November 6, 2025, meaning it was initially kept confidential. It is now in the process of being unsealed for public release.
As of Monday, dela Rosa remained inside the Senate after attending the plenary session, marking his first appearance since reportedly going into hiding on November 11.
Reports said the senator was placed under Senate protective custody after tensions arose involving the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), which allegedly attempted to serve the warrant but was prevented from fully doing so inside the Senate premises.
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV earlier presented a copy of the ICC warrant at the Senate, accompanied by NBI personnel.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, meanwhile, rejected the move, saying the chamber would only recognize arrest warrants issued by Philippine courts during his term as Senate leader.
Dela Rosa is named as a co-perpetrator in a crime against humanity complaint filed before the ICC in connection with the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. As the former Philippine National Police chief from 2016 to 2018, he led the controversial campaign that resulted in thousands of drug-related deaths.
