The International Criminal Court (ICC) is reportedly preparing to arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde following the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was brought to The Hague on Tuesday to face trial for crimes against humanity related to the bloody war on drugs.
According to Kristina Conti, assistant to counsel at the ICC, four names were mentioned in the court documents, including Duterte, Dela Rosa, and Albayalde.
Conti stated that the ICC is investigating Dela Rosa and Albayalde for their involvement in the anti-drug campaign from 2016 to 2022, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of suspected drug addicts and offenders without formal trials.
Earlier, Malacañang stated that Philippine authorities might cooperate if the ICC issues additional arrest warrants against those accused in the war on drugs.
However, Claire Castro, Press Officer of the Palace and Undersecretary of the Presidential Communications Office, clarified that they have not yet received any information about additional arrest warrants from Interpol.
Castro added that if new warrants are issued, the administration’s response would remain the same, providing assistance if requested by Interpol.
She further noted that the situation could change if the subject of the arrest warrant voluntarily surrenders, unlike the tension experienced during Duterte’s arrest.
Castro also revealed that Duterte could face up to 30 years in prison if found guilty of crimes against humanity by the ICC.
In exceptional circumstances, he could be sentenced to life imprisonment, although the decision would be subject to appeal.
Dela Rosa, who served as PNP chief from 2016 to 2018, was a key architect of Duterte’s war on drugs.
Under his leadership, the controversial “Oplan Tokhang” was launched, instructing police officers to knock on suspects’ doors and persuade them to surrender.
However, the campaign escalated into widespread extrajudicial killings, with thousands of alleged drug offenders killed in police operations or by unknown assailants.