Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla revealed that the alleged electronic copy of the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa came from a third-party source.
In an interview, Remulla said he had spoken with his brother, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, after the latter disclosed the existence of the warrant.
According to the Ombudsman, the electronic copy was obtained from a third-party source and not directly from the ICC.
Secretary Remulla noted that while the document appeared “official,” only an official copy from the ICC would make it an actionable document.
He stressed that authorities must wait for an official copy before any enforcement action can be taken.
When asked how the Philippine National Police (PNP) would implement the warrant if confirmed, Remulla did not provide a direct answer but reiterated the need for proper documentation.
On November 8, Ombudsman Remulla claimed that a warrant had already been issued against Dela Rosa. However, ICC spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah clarified in a separate interview with Bombo Radyo Philippines that only the international tribunal itself can release such information.
Senator Dela Rosa, former chief of the Philippine National Police, faces allegations of crimes against humanity tied to his role in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, particularly the controversial “Oplan Tokhang” campaign.