Malacañang on Tuesday, March 25, refused to confirm or deny reports that Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC), following the withdrawal of his security detail weeks after former President Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest.
When asked directly by City Post if there is an active warrant against Dela Rosa, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro and Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Jay Ruiz left the question on “seen” without replying.
Dela Rosa, who played a major role in Duterte’s controversial war on drugs as the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, has been identified as a key figure in the ICC’s ongoing investigation into alleged crimes against humanity.
As PNP chief, dela Rosa issued Command Memorandum Circular No. 16-2016, launching Project Double Barrel—the foundation of Oplan Tokhang, Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
The removal of his security detail has sparked speculation about his legal status, especially after Duterte’s arrest. Dela Rosa dismissed the ICC’s jurisdiction, echoing Duterte’s stance since the Philippines’ 2019 withdrawal from the tribunal.
Earlier in the day, Dela Rosa said in a phone patch interview that he was only informed that the Philippine National Police had recalled his security details on March 24 upon his arrival in Davao.
“Itong pag uwi ko sa Davao, wala na akong security,” dela Rosa said.
“Pinapa-report na lang sila sa unit nila. Hindi ko alam kung kailan sila pina-report ha? Dahil naka-standby ‘man sila dito. Hindi ko alam kasi nag iikot ako. Ngayon, pagdating ko rito, wala na sila. Pina-report na sila,” he added.
However, Castro said in a press briefing that PNP may have recalled dela Rosa’s security detail because he is nowhere to be found.
“Nasaan po ba kasi si Senator Bato? Nakikita po ba natin?” Castro said when sought to react to the lawmaker’s statement that he no longer has security aides when he arrived in his hometown in Davao. (TCSP)
