Philippines authorities have ordered the arrest of Senator Ronald dela Rosa after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant linking him to alleged crimes against humanity during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida confirmed that law enforcement agencies have been instructed to execute the arrest order against dela Rosa, a former national police chief widely known by his nickname “Bato.”
The move follows a ruling by the Philippine Supreme Court rejecting his request for a temporary restraining order, clearing the way for domestic authorities to act on the ICC warrant.
The ICC unsealed the arrest warrant last week, accusing dela Rosa and others described as co-perpetrators of murder as a crime against humanity in connection with Duterte’s controversial “war on drugs.”
The campaign, launched during Duterte’s presidency, resulted in thousands of deaths in police operations and vigilante-style killings, drawing widespread international criticism and human rights scrutiny.
Dela Rosa, who led the national police from 2016 to 2018 before entering the Senate, has denied any involvement in unlawful killings. He is currently serving his second Senate term.
Authorities now consider him a fugitive following the enforcement order. His current location remains unknown after reports that he had been staying inside the Senate premises as legal proceedings intensified.
The ICC is also prosecuting former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained in The Hague awaiting trial on related crimes against humanity charges.
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