Senator Bato dela Rosa faces ICC arrest risk as allies warned of prosecution

The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, accusing him of crimes against humanity linked to the Philippines' anti‑drug campaign under former President Rodrigo Duterte. ICC Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti cautioned that individuals who helped dela Rosa evade arrest could be prosecuted under Article 70 of the Rome Statute, which criminalises interference with ICC proceedings.

During a recent event in Mindanao, Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte, son of Rodrigo Duterte, joked about the possibility of dela Rosa being sent to the ICC detention centre in The Hague and criticized the current administration of President Bongbong Marcos. The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019, but the ICC retains jurisdiction over matters connected to its ongoing investigation.

The warning highlighted former actor Robin Padilla as a potential subject, after he assisted dela Rosa in leaving the Senate building following a shootout. The developments underline ongoing legal and political tensions surrounding the former drug‑war officials.