Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has reaffirmed the existence of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa over his alleged role in extrajudicial killings during the previous administration's war on drugs. Remulla learned of the warrant through former Department of Justice colleagues and an ICC liaison. Philippine government agencies, however, say they have not received official copies.
In a recent interview on dzMM Teleradyo, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla stood firm on his claim that the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. The warrant relates to dela Rosa's alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings as part of the prior government's campaign against illegal drugs.
Remulla detailed how he first heard about the warrant one month ago on a Saturday morning. 'My former colleagues in the DOJ arrived at my house and we talked about it. Then I asked them, ‘where is the arrest warrant?’ Then they showed me the first page of it,' he recounted. The following day, an individual acting as a liaison for the ICC provided him with the full document. Remulla mentioned keeping an unofficial copy on his cellphone but chose not to display it during the interview.
He initially revealed the warrant's existence on November 8 during his co-hosted radio program 'Executive Session' on dzRH, naming dela Rosa as a co-accused alongside former President Rodrigo Duterte in crimes against humanity cases.
Despite Remulla's statements, the Department of Justice, Department of Foreign Affairs, and Department of the Interior and Local Government have reported no receipt of the warrant from the ICC. The DILG, which oversees the Philippine National Police, also noted the absence of a Red Notice from Interpol targeting dela Rosa.
Following Remulla's disclosure, dela Rosa has not returned to Senate duties or participated in public events.