DOJ: Senator Bato dela Rosa a fugitive who must face ICC charges

MANILA - The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday (May 21, 2026) said that an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant for Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa is enforceable and law enforcers have been tasked to arrest the senator.

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said that Dela Rosa is a fugitive from justice who should be brought to the ICC to face charges.

On Wednesday (May 20, 2026), Malacañang also affirmed that the arrest warrant linked to the ICC remains valid. This follows the Supreme Court’s (SC) decision to deny the Senator’s plea for a temporary restraining order (TRO).

READ: PH Supreme Court denies Senator Bato dela Rosa's bid to prevent arrest in ICC case

According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), Palace Press Officer Claire Castro confirmed that the administration recognizes the validity of the warrant in light of the high court’s ruling.

The SC, in a 9-5-1 vote during a special en banc session, the Court denied Dela Rosa’s request for a TRO and status quo ante order.

Dela Rosa's request sought to prevent government agencies from enforcing any ICC-related warrants, red notices, or diffusion requests without a warrant issued by a Philippine court.

The PNA said Castro noted the position of the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), which suggests that Dela Rosa may now be considered a fugitive.

Dela Rosa, the former Philippine National Police chief, was the chief implementer of the Duterte administration's anti-drug campaign.

Dela Rosa is facing arrest because of the ICC trial concerning alleged crimes against humanity related to the killings during the former administration's war on drugs.

-Reporting by Mikhail Flores; Editing by John Mair/Reuters