The Department of Justice has declared Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa a fugitive from justice and ordered police to enforce an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for crimes against humanity.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida announced on Thursday that the Philippine National Police and National Bureau of Investigation must immediately enforce the ICC warrant. The Supreme Court had rejected Dela Rosa’s request for a temporary restraining order by a 9-5-1 vote on Wednesday.
Vida warned that anyone aiding the senator would face legal consequences under both Philippine and ICC law. “Senator Bato is a fugitive from justice, and he should be brought to the ICC to face the charges before him,” he said.
Dela Rosa, former national police chief under President Rodrigo Duterte, went into hiding after the warrant was issued secretly in November 2025. He briefly appeared at the Senate on May 11 before evading arrest and leaving the premises early Thursday in a vehicle linked to another senator.
The Office of the Solicitor General stated that the denial of the TRO removes any legal barrier to enforcement. Duterte is already detained at the ICC facility in The Hague on related charges.
