MANILA, Philippines — Philippine authorities received orders Thursday from the nation’s top justice official to carry out an International Criminal Court arrest warrant targeting a senator accused of crimes against humanity. Officials warned that anyone assisting the senator in avoiding the nationwide manhunt will face criminal prosecution.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida declared during a press briefing that Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa “is a fugitive from justice.” Vida stated, “He should be brought to the ICC to face the charges.”
The senator previously served as the country’s top police official and implemented former President Rodrigo Duterte’s violent anti-drug campaign that resulted in thousands of deaths, primarily among low-level suspects. These killings drew condemnation from Western nations and human rights organizations.
Former President Duterte, who held office from 2016 to 2022, was taken into custody last year and transported to The Hague, where he currently faces trial at the ICC on crimes against humanity charges.
The senator had asked the Philippines Supreme Court to invalidate his ICC warrant, claiming the nation is no longer a member of the international tribunal. However, the court rejected his request.
During his press conference, Vida indicated that law enforcement has information about dela Rosa’s location but declined to provide specifics. He emphasized that anyone found helping the senator avoid arrest would face criminal charges.
An ICC warrant made public on May 11 accuses dela Rosa of the crime against humanity of murder involving “no less than 32 persons” during the period from July 2016 through late April 2018, while he commanded the national police under Duterte and carried out the former president’s harsh enforcement policies.
Vida noted, “There were thousands, including minors and toddlers, who were killed.” He added, “It’s the government’s obligation to support and help them achieve justice.”
The senator had stayed away from the Senate for several months due to arrest concerns. Nevertheless, he unexpectedly appeared on May 11 to assist Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano in securing a narrow majority and winning control of the 24-member Senate’s leadership.
Cayetano transported dela Rosa to the Senate in his vehicle. National Bureau of Investigation officers attempted to execute the ICC arrest warrant at that time, but dela Rosa rushed into the Senate chamber and requested protection from Cayetano and supporting senators, who provided him sanctuary.
On May 13, two days afterward, dela Rosa escaped from the Senate following multiple gunshots fired by the building’s security team. Their supervisor explained these were warning shots after spotting armed government officers positioned in a nearby building, according to police sources.
The gunfire created panic among senators, staff members and reporters, including two from The Associated Press, who were inside the Senate facility.
Authorities stated they are examining whether the disturbance was intentionally created to enable dela Rosa’s getaway in an SUV operated by another supportive senator, Robinhood Padilla.
The senator’s legal troubles have emerged amid growing political tensions between the Duterte family and current leadership. Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of the former president, has accused current officials of orchestrating what she called the “kidnapping” of her father and his transfer to the ICC.
The vice president, who has declared her intention to run for president in 2028, faced impeachment last week in a decisive vote by the House of Representatives, which is controlled by allies of the current administration.
Her Senate trial on criminal accusations including unexplained wealth, misappropriation of government funds and a public threat to assassinate the president is scheduled to begin in July. While she has denied the charges, she has declined to provide detailed responses to them.
