Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa‘s wife is calling for due process as reports circulate about an alleged arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court. The reported warrant is linked to accusations of crimes against humanity tied to the government’s drug war between 2016 and 2019, during which dela Rosa served as police chief under former President Rody Duterte.
The controversy intensified after Ombudsman Boying Remulla said in a November 2025 interview that he received what was described to him as an unofficial copy of an ICC arrest warrant for dela Rosa. The Ombudsman did not present the document publicly, and the Department of Justice stated on November 11, 2025, that it has not confirmed the existence or authenticity of any ICC-issued warrant for the senator.
DOJ Secretary Remulla said that if such a warrant exists, it would still require validation by a Philippine court and could initiate a legal process under Philippine extradition rules. The DOJ said it is aware only of rumors and unofficial reports until formal documents are transmitted through proper channels.
Senator Imee Marcos, addressing the issue publicly, supported the call for due process as invoked by dela Rosa’s wife. Marcos questioned the handling of the supposed ICC action and reiterated that any arrest or extradition must respect Philippine judicial sovereignty. She also called for legislative scrutiny of the government’s approach to cases involving Duterte and officials linked to the drug war.
As of November 13, 2025, there is no confirmed public ICC arrest warrant for Senator dela Rosa. Philippine authorities maintain that any legitimate international legal action must pass through local courts before enforcement. For now, the matter remains unresolved as officials acknowledge only unverified reports and dela Rosa’s wife continues to appeal for a fair and transparent legal process.
