MANILA, Philippines — A former Philippine police chief turned senator declared Tuesday that he will resist any efforts to transfer him to the International Criminal Court for prosecution, denying he ever supported unlawful killings during his time leading the nation’s police.
The ICC in The Hague made public Monday an arrest warrant for Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who previously served as the country’s top police official and implemented former President Rodrigo Duterte’s violent anti-narcotics operations that resulted in thousands of deaths among primarily low-level drug suspects.
The warrant, initially issued in November, accuses dela Rosa of committing murder as a crime against humanity involving “no less than 32 persons” during the period from July 2016 through late April 2018 in the Philippines.
“If there are charges I must address, I will confront them in our domestic courts rather than before international authorities,” dela Rosa stated to journalists at the Senate, which placed him under “protective custody” Monday following his return after being absent for several months.
“I will pursue every available legal option,” he declared, making a direct appeal to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.: “Don’t bring me to The Hague.”
Following his 2016 presidential victory, Duterte appointed dela Rosa, a trusted supporter, to lead the national police, which carried out the harsh anti-drug initiative.
Dela Rosa previously commanded police forces in Davao, the southern city where Duterte served as mayor for many years and established his reputation for aggressive crime-fighting tactics.
“My responsibility was to oversee the anti-drug campaign, and that campaign was never intended to eliminate people,” dela Rosa explained when questioned about the extensive casualties.
“When police officers faced life-threatening situations, naturally they had to protect themselves,” dela Rosa stated.
Duterte’s presidency concluded in mid-2022. He was taken into custody in March of last year and is currently held by the ICC in the Netherlands, where he awaits trial for alleged crimes against humanity related to multiple deaths during his enforcement campaigns.
In 2019, Duterte removed the Philippines from ICC membership, which human rights advocates claim was an attempt to avoid accountability. However, the court maintained it still has authority over offenses committed while the Philippines remained a member nation.
When questioned about whether the Philippines would execute the ICC’s arrest order for dela Rosa, government representatives indicated they were prepared and might transfer him to the international court’s authority, similar to Duterte, under Philippine legislation designed to address crimes against humanity including genocide.
“We are obligated to ensure that all individuals who should be held accountable face responsibility,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro stated during a press conference.
Dela Rosa cannot claim immunity from arrest while participating in official sessions or remaining within the Senate premises because the alleged crimes were severe and carry lengthy prison sentences, Castro explained.
Law enforcement has stationed nearly 350 officers around the Senate building, raising alarm among dela Rosa and supporting senators, though officials emphasized they were positioned to maintain order rather than assist in any potential arrest of the senator.
