The International Criminal Court confirmed on Monday an arrest warrant against Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa for his alleged role in former President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war. Philippine authorities attempted to detain him at the Senate but were blocked as lawmakers placed the senator under protective custody.
The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I issued the 16-page warrant under seal on November 6, 2025. It was made public late on May 11, 2026. The document accuses Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief, of acting as a co-perpetrator in the killings of at least 32 people between July 2016 and April 2018 as part of a common plan targeting alleged drug offenders.
National Bureau of Investigation agents tried to arrest Dela Rosa at the Senate building on Monday. He had returned after six months out of public view. The attempt led to a chase through the halls, captured on Senate security footage, before senators voted to place him under the chamber's custody.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano said the upper house would allow an arrest only by a Philippine court. Dela Rosa's lawyers sought a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court. The ICC cited his public remarks against the court as reason to order arrest rather than a summons.
The warrant alleges Dela Rosa contributed through police orders, statements encouraging killings, and placement of officers in key positions. Prosecutors have linked him to crimes against humanity charges alongside Duterte.
