Ombudsman firm on ICC warrant for Dela Rosa: ‘I have a copy’

Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said Tuesday he has an unofficial copy of an arrest warrant allegedly issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

Remulla made the remark when asked to clarify his statement on his radio program last Saturday, where he claimed the ICC had already issued a warrant against Dela Rosa in connection with alleged crimes against humanity tied to drug war killings during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

"I said that as a journalist on my Saturday program. Nai-scoop ko ‘yon, nakita ko (That was a scoop for me. I saw it),” Remulla said, referring to having seen an exclusive report.

“Kung tatanungin niyo ako kung meron, meron. Sa telepono ko. I have a copy. Pero hindi siya official copy. Basta alam ko, meron.”

(If you ask me whether such document exists, yes, there is. It’s on my phone. I have a copy, but it’s not an official copy. What matters is I know it exists.)

“That is an executive function now," he said, referring to the mandate to implement the supposed arrest warrant. He clarified that the document has yet to move through the necessary channels before it can be enforced.

Neither the Department of Justice nor the ICC has confirmed the existence of such a warrant against Dela Rosa, who served as Philippine National Police chief when the anti-drug campaign was implemented.

Remulla maintained that the absence of confirmation from other agencies does not invalidate what he has seen.

“Sila, wala pang confirmation. Nauna ako sa kanila,” he said.

(They don’t have confirmation yet. I got ahead of them.)

Duterte has been detained at an ICC facility since March over allegations of crimes against humanity linked to the drug war.

In its warrant, the ICC said Duterte is “individually responsible for the crimes against humanity of murder” as an indirect co-perpetrator.

Duterte has repeatedly denied wrongdoing, insisting the campaign targeted only drug suspects who resisted arrest.

Police have acknowledged killing around 6,000 individuals in anti-drug operations, though human rights groups estimate the death toll at closer to 30,000.—MCG, GMA Integrated News