Philippine Senator Dela Rosa Challenges ICC Arrest Warrant Over Drug War Killings
Senator Ronald dela Rosa, former national police chief, vows to contest the ICC's arrest warrant accusing him of crimes against humanity during the Duterte administration's anti-drug campaign.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has unsealed an arrest warrant for Philippine Senator Ronald dela Rosa, accusing him of crimes against humanity related to the Duterte administration's anti-drug campaign. The warrant, originally issued confidentially in November 2025, alleges that dela Rosa was responsible for the murder of at least 32 individuals between July 2016 and April 2018.
Dela Rosa, who served as the national police chief during the initial implementation of the campaign, has denied condoning extrajudicial killings. He stated he would contest any attempt to surrender him to the ICC, emphasizing his preference to face any charges in local courts. "If I have something to answer for, I will face those in our local courts and not before foreigners," dela Rosa told reporters.
The Philippine government has acknowledged the ICC's arrest warrant. Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro indicated that the country has an obligation to hold accountable those responsible for such crimes. "We have an obligation that all those who should be held to account should be held responsible," Castro said.
Security measures have been heightened around the Senate, with nearly 350 law enforcers deployed. Officials stated that the deployment aims to maintain order and is not intended to facilitate the senator's arrest.