Palace: No word yet if arrest warrant out vs. Bato, others in Duterte drug war

Malacañang said Thursday it has yet to receive communication if an arrest warrant has already been issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa and other alleged co-perpetrators of former President Rodrigo Duterte in his drug war.

At a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro was asked about the statement of Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin to Kyodo News that Dela Rosa could be arrested once the International Criminal Court issues a warrant of arrest.

"Sa ngayon, wala pa po tayong natatanggap na anumang communication kung mayroon na pong warrant of arrest para sa mga co-perpetrators ni dating Pangulong Duterte," Castro said. 

(At present, we have not received any communication if there's a warrant of arrest against former President Duterte's co-perpetrators.)

In March, it was reported that nine individuals were tagged as co-perpetrators of the former president as shown in the application of warrant of arrest posted in the ICC website. 

There were particular individuals who were named because of their role in the previous administration’s controversial campaign against illegal drugs. 

Among them was Dela Rosa, who was identified as the architect of "Oplan Tokhang," which was first implemented in Davao City when he was then the local police chief. 

Dela Rosa later served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) who led the nationwide implementation of the war on drugs under the Duterte administration.

The former top cop earlier tagged himself as the number two accused in the ICC case against the former president.

Dela Rosa admitted before that he was considering hiding and not surrendering in the event that authorities implement a warrant of arrest issued by the tribunal based in The Hague, Netherlands.

Incumbent PNP chief Police General Nicolas Torre III said authorities are planning contingencies amid the possible issuance of an arrest warrant.

Duterte, who faces charges of crimes against humanity, was arrested in the Philippines by local authorities on March 11 based on a warrant of arrest issued by the ICC.

He is currently detained in the Scheveningen Prison in The Hague. — VDV, GMA Integrated News