MANILA — The Philippine government has announced it will stop Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa from leaving the country as authorities move to enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Dela Rosa, a former national police chief and a central figure in the controversial war on drugs, reportedly managed to avoid arrest earlier this week after briefly staying inside the Senate before later leaving on Thursday without revealing his location.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said the government has received the ICC warrant but noted that its enforcement remains subject to a Supreme Court ruling on Dela Rosa’s legal challenge questioning its validity.
Vida warned that any attempt by the senator to leave the Philippines would be treated as an act of defiance against the justice system.
Authorities have directed immigration and law enforcement personnel to ensure Dela Rosa remains in the country and to carry out arrest procedures if necessary.
The ICC warrant, made public on Monday, names Dela Rosa, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and other alleged co-perpetrators in connection with crimes against humanity of murder tied to the anti-drug campaign that resulted in thousands of deaths.
Dela Rosa served as Philippine National Police chief from 2016 to 2018 during the early phase of the crackdown and later won two Senate terms after retiring from police service.
He has asked the Supreme Court to halt the warrant’s enforcement, arguing that he should instead face any charges in Philippine courts.
Former president Duterte was previously arrested in March last year and is now detained in The Hague, where he is awaiting trial.
elami/xf
