The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced it is considering two possible options should an arrest warrant be issued against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Chief State Counsel Dennis Arvin L. Chan explained that under Republic Act No. 9851, the DOJ may implement either “extradition” or “surrender per se” depending on the circumstances.
He clarified that these options remain theoretical, as there is no confirmation yet that the ICC has formally issued a warrant of arrest against the senator.
The DOJ stressed it has not received any official copy of the alleged warrant said to have been released by the International Tribunal.
Chan added that the department is carefully studying the legal avenues available should the ICC warrant be confirmed.
He emphasized that the DOJ is not ruling out the possibility of enforcing the order through extradition or surrender of Sen. Dela Rosa.
The official also highlighted the technical complexities of the country’s relationship with the ICC, noting that the tribunal is treated as a “requesting state.”
However, he pointed out that the Philippines has no existing treaty with the ICC to directly enforce extradition.