Philippines orders arrest of ICC‑wanted Senator Ronald dela Rosa

Ronald dela Rosa ICC arrest warrant Philippine justice secretary war on drugs fugitive

The Philippine Supreme Court rejected Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s request for a temporary restraining order, allowing the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant to be enforced.

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida directed the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation and other agencies to locate and arrest the former police chief, calling him a “fugitive from justice.” He warned that anyone helping the senator evade arrest would face legal consequences.

Dela Rosa, a key figure in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “war on drugs,” is wanted by the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity, with the court estimating 12,000‑30,000 deaths during the campaign. The ICC unsealed the warrant in November and disclosed it this month. Philippine officials say they have leads on his whereabouts after he fled the Senate building following a shooting incident.

The senator denies involvement in illegal killings and has pledged to appeal the Supreme Court’s decision. The government says the warrant is enforceable despite the Philippines’ 2019 withdrawal from the ICC treaty.