Dennis Gasgonia

Bato’s camp urges caution, restraint amid reports on ICC arrest warrant

Article (news)

Job Manahan

ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s camp on Saturday urged the public to be cautious on reports regarding an arrest warrant allegedly issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against him.Lawyer Israelito Torreon, Dela Rosa’s counsel, said they were “made aware” of the information, but added that, “We do not have independent confirmation as to whether or not this information is accurate.”“We therefore urge the public and the media to exercise caution and restraint in sharing or interpreting such reports until verified information is officially released by competent authorities or by the ICC itself,” Torreon said in a statement.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/8/doj-working-to-verify-alleged-icc-issuance-of-warrant-for-dela-rosa-1102">DOJ &#x27;working to verify&#x27; alleged ICC issuance of warrant for Dela Rosa </a> </div>“For now, we shall await official confirmation before making any further statement on the matter,” he said.If the information is true, Torreon said they trust the government to implement the warrant based on the rule of law, and that &quot;any such action shall first pass through the proper local judicial confirmation process consistent with our Constitution.”ABS-CBN News reached out to Dela Rosa for comment on the matter, but he has yet to respond as of the story&#x27;s posting.<div> </div><div>‘CHRISTMAS WISH’</div>Meanwhile, ICC Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti said they are awaiting confirmation if the information is true.“Pero siyempre ang Christmas wish naming mga biktima ay ang ma-issuehan ng warrant of arrest si Bato dela Rosa at ma-implement ito para pagbukas ng 2026, pagbubukas ng trial kay Duterte ay pagbubukas din ng proceedings laban kay Bato kasi mayroon pang preliminary o pre-trial proceedings na kailangan lampasan tulad ng nangyari kay Duterte,” said Conti in an interview.“Kailangan ng initial appearance, confirmation of charges, bago magtuloy ng trial yung kaso naman ni Bato,” she said.She added that an arrest warrant is issued through the Office of the President or the Interpol through the Department of Justice or the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).“Very curious kami kung paano yan mai-implement sa isang dating PNP chief, na sa aming tingin ay dapat kabisado ang totoo at dapat na pag-aresto sa mga kriminal o suspek,” said Conti.“As soon as makuha ang warrant, makumpirma na ito ay totoo, sabihin na natin, kung kailangan pa nila yun. Kahit na xerox copy or any written document, or soft copy ay puwedeng gamitin ng arresting authority para hulihin ang isang tao yan ay sa ICC mismo. Maaari ring padaluyin sa interpol,” she added.Senate President Tito Sotto III, for his part, said they would not let any senator be arrested inside the Senate premises to protect the dignity of the institution.“As I have said in the past and in consultation with some members of the Senate, to preserve the dignity of the Senate, and as a matter of institutional courtesy, we cannot allow any senator to be arrested in the Senate premises,” Sotto told Senate reporters. “Outside the Senate premises, that&#x27;s no longer our concern,” he added.Based on photos and videos released on his official Facebook page, Dela Rosa was seen in Cebu to provide aid and to help in the retrieval operations in areas directly hit by Typhoon Tino.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/3/17/escudero-explains-why-dela-rosa-cant-be-arrested-within-senate-premises-1825">Escudero explains why Dela Rosa can&#x27;t be arrested within Senate premises</a></div>Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier said in a radio interview that an arrest warrant was already released against Dela Rosa, a former police chief under former President Rodrigo Duterte.The Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, however, said they have yet to get any confirmation regarding such a warrant arrest.Palace Press Officer Claire Castro also said there was “no confirmation” regarding the statement made by Remulla.

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s camp on Saturday urged the public to be cautious on reports regarding an arrest warrant allegedly issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against him.

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s camp on Saturday urged the public to be cautious on reports regarding an arrest warrant allegedly issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against him.