Marilyn Cahatol

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ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17603239911111760323988948.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Sen. Bato dela Rosa. <em>Senate PRIB/File </em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — The International Criminal Court (ICC) may anytime seek the arrest of Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa upon the request of the prosecution, while it determines the health and fitness of former President Rodrigo Duterte to stand trial, ICC-accredited Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti said Monday.</p><p>“This issue could actually proceed independently of a warrant of arrest against Bato or others, because at this point, the prosecution is just sitting around and waiting for results. Wala na po siyang ginagawa,” she told ANC’s Headstart.</p><p>This, after the ICC indefinitely <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/8/icc-postpones-duterte-s-confirmation-of-charges-hearing-1938">postponed </a>Duterte’s confirmation of charges hearing, originally scheduled on Sept. 23,<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/8/icc-postpones-duterte-s-confirmation-of-charges-hearing-1938"> </a>due to the defense team’s claim the former president is not fit to stand trial. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/10/3-experts-eyed-to-assess-duterte-s-mental-fitness-for-crimes-vs-humanity-trial-0708">3 experts eyed to assess Duterte&#x27;s mental fitness for crimes vs humanity trial</a></div><p>According to Conti, the ICC is currently talking to health experts to discuss Duterte’s condition to determine if he is indeed incapable to stand trial. ICC has also received Duterte’s test results, including one from a psychiatrist. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/10/defense-raises-concerns-over-icc-medical-report-on-duterte-0735">Defense raises concerns over ICC medical report on Duterte</a></div><p>It could take more time if they redo the tests, she added.</p><p>Dela Rosa, chief of the Philippine National Police during the Duterte administration, led the bloody drug war which was counted among the alleged crimes against humanity that prompted the former president&#x27;s arrest on March 11 and detention in The Hague, the Netherlands.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/24/dela-rosa-ready-if-icc-issues-arrest-warrant-against-him-2006">Dela Rosa &#x27;ready&#x27; if ICC issues arrest warrant against him</a></div><p>Conti said Dela Rosa&#x27;s name was among those mentioned in the draft charges against Duterte. </p><p>“The prosecution has already built up a case against Bato Dela Rosa at the least. Bato’s name even appears in the documents containing the charges,” she said. </p><p>While the names of the eight others were redacted in the publicly-available version of the ICC document, Conti said it shows that at least two were police officers, one was an appointed official, one was “close enough,” and another one was a friend. </p><p>“These eight players are also considered among the most responsible.”</p><p>Conti, however, noted that it could be difficult to arrest Dela Rosa now because of various factors, including his incumbency as a senator. </p><p>The Philippines’ arresting bodies — PNP, National Bureau of Investigation, and other law enforcement agencies — may also hesitate to arrest a former PNP chief. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/18/palace-fires-back-at-bato-dela-rosa-over-allegations-against-first-lady-1753">Palace fires back at Bato Dela Rosa over allegations against First Lady</a></div><div> </div><div><strong>‘DUTERTE’S HEARING COULD PROCEED IN 2026’</strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Given Duterte’s alleged health condition and the possible appeal the defense may file, the earliest possible date of his confirmation of charges hearing could be January or February next year, said Conti. </p><p>“For us, the reasonable or most probable time, including possible appeals, would be January, February so that everything is settled,” she said. </p><p>This also considers that there would be periods of court recess in December, she added.</p><p>The lawyer underscored that the confirmation of charges hearing is not the start of the trial, but only the “beginning of talking about the charges.”</p><p>The decision on whether to confirm the charges or not would come 60 days after, she said. </p><p>The ICC Pre-Trial Chamber <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/10/icc-rejects-duterte-s-interim-release-plea-1714">rejected </a>the request of the Duterte’s defense for interim release.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/10/12/ejk-victims-kin-ready-to-respond-to-duterte-appeal-on-denied-interim-release-lawyer-1413">EJK victims’ kin ready to respond to Duterte appeal on denied interim release — lawyer</a></div><p>Conti said the statements, positions and power of the former president&#x27;s children — Vice President Sara Duterte and Davao 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte — played a part in the ICC’s decision. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CIHe5APYWmM?si=uXOaWctTq_rcn2wS" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>Kristina Conti, however, noted that it could be difficult to arrest Sen. Bato Dela Rosa now because of various factors, including his incumbency as a senator.</p>

Kristina Conti, however, noted that it could be difficult to arrest Sen. Bato Dela Rosa now because of various factors, including his incumbency as a senator.

ICC prosecutors may seek Bato arrest while court awaits Duterte fitness test: lawyer

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ICC prosecutors may seek Bato arrest while court awaits Duterte fitness test: lawyer

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 13, 2025 11:15 AM PHT

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Updated Oct 13, 2025 01:48 PM PHT

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Bato Dela Rosa

Senate

ICC

Rodrigo Duterte

crimes against humanity

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