Senator Dela Rosa Challenges ICC Arrest Warrant Threat
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Bato dela Rosa, a former top police official, boldly challenged the current administration over the looming threat of an ICC arrest warrant against him. He urged President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s government not to repeat the same mistake regarding the handling of a Filipino citizen and the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Dela Rosa spoke firmly to reporters during a phone interview, referencing Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin’s recent remarks about the issue. Bersamin indicated that the senator might face treatment similar to that of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who was reportedly arrested by Philippine police in March for alleged crimes against humanity tied to the controversial drug war.
“If They Want to Commit the Same Mistake Again”
“If they want to commit the same mistake again, then go ahead,” dela Rosa stated. “They can do that if they want to make another mistake. What they did to Duterte was a huge mistake, and if they are willing to make the same mistake again, then they can do the same.”
The senator expressed skepticism about the timing of the ICC discussions and the potential warrant against him. He believes these developments are tactics to distract the public from other pressing issues, particularly those involving First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and her alleged connection to the death of Juan Paolo “Paowee” Tantoco.
Political Diversion Amid Controversies
“They often do that. If there’s an issue being thrown against Malacañang – now there’s an issue about the first lady – now what they’re doing is to make an issue about the ICC and a senator in order to divert the issue,” he observed. “People in Malacañang do that. They make rehashed issues into a new one and recycle it to divert people’s attention.”
Dela Rosa declined to share details about his preparations in response to the alleged ICC warrant. However, his involvement in the previous administration’s drug war has been well documented.
Role in Duterte’s Drug War Under ICC Scrutiny
As the former chief of the Philippine National Police, dela Rosa issued Command Memorandum Circular No. 16-2016, which laid the groundwork for Project Double Barrel — the Duterte administration’s aggressive campaign against illegal drugs, also known as Oplan Tokhang.
Sources said that following Duterte, both dela Rosa and retired police chief Oscar Albayalde are potential subjects of ICC arrest warrants for crimes against humanity for their roles in the drug war crackdown.
For more news and updates on ICC warrant, visit Filipinokami.com.
