Tovic Salvador

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa speaks to members of the media outside his office at the Philippine Senate on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, a day after the International Criminal Court unsealed an arrest warrant for him in relation to the crime against humanity case filed against the senator. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Karen De Guzman

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177856478414720260512-senate-ronald-dela-rosa-MT1.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa speaks to members of the media outside his office at the Philippine Senate on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, a day after the International Criminal Court unsealed an arrest warrant for him in relation to the crime against humanity case filed against the senator. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa speaks to members of the media outside his office at the Philippine Senate on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, a day after the International Criminal Court unsealed an arrest warrant for him in relation to the crime against humanity case filed against the senator. <em>Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA (<strong>UPDATED</strong>) – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday clarified that Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s former role as PNP chief has no bearing on the police organization’s part in the possible service of the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him.</p><p>PNP spokesperson PBGen. Randulf Tuaño dismissed claims that the police had left the implementation of the warrant solely to other agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).</p><p>“Hindi natin pinauubaya sa ibang agency ‘yung pag-aresto kay Senator Bato Dela Rosa. Sa apat na ahensya, ang maaaring i-tap ng NCB Manila (National Central Bureau) o PCTC (Philippine Center on Transnational Crime) ay NBI at ‘yung Philippine National Police para i-assist ‘yung Interpol Manila,” Tuaño said.</p><p>He stressed that Dela Rosa’s past position in the police force would not influence the PNP’s actions.</p><p>“Walang kinalaman sapagkat nung umupo ‘yung ating chief PNP noong August, si General Nartatez, napaka-propesyunal ng PNP. ‘Yung subpoena na inilabas natin, ito ay pagpapatunay na hindi tinitingnan ng PNP ang estado mo sa lipunan. Kapag ikaw may reklamo, dapat ka sumagot,” he added.</p><p>The ICC publicly <a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/11/icc-confirms-arrest-warrant-against-dela-rosa-2111">confirmed </a>Monday night that it is seeking the arrest of Dela Rosa in connection with its investigation into the drug war under the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/12/-they-want-us-to-vanish-bato-blames-duterte-critics-for-icc-arrest-warrant-1309"><strong>&#x27;They want us to vanish&#x27;: Bato says ICC arrest warrant based on ‘fabrication’ by Duterte critics</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>TWO POSSIBLE PROCESSES</strong></div><p>Tuaño said the PNP is to observe two possible processes through which the ICC warrant may be implemented.</p><p>The first is through extradition proceedings, which would require court action and guidance from the Department of Justice (DOJ).</p><p>“Matagal pa ito. Back and forth pa na hearing sa both parties,” he said.</p><p>The second is through what authorities call “direct surrender,” where the ICC warrant is coursed through Interpol.</p><p>Tuaño noted that the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte fell under the “direct surrender” process.</p><p>Under this setup, Interpol coordinates with the National Central Bureau (NCB) Manila and the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime (PCTC), which then work with the DOJ, PNP, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). The NCB serves as Interpol’s local counterpart in the country, while the PCTC helps coordinate inter-agency action on transnational crimes.</p><p>“‘Yung NCB/PCTC, magko-convene naman sa apat na agency. Ito ‘yung Department of Justice, PNP, NBI, and Department of Foreign Affairs,” Tuaño said.</p><p>“Under the guidance rin ito ng DOJ kung saan pag-uusapan nila kung papaano i-implement ng Interpol Manila ‘yung ICC warrant,” he added.</p><p>Tuaño noted that the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte fell under the “direct surrender” process.</p><p>Once the agencies convene and the PNP is given instructions, the police will activate its contingency plans.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>SENATE PROTECTION ORDER</strong></div><p>Dela Rosa was placed under Senate protective custody on Monday after agents of the NBI attempted to serve the ICC warrant.</p><p>The PNP, however, said the Senate order does not affect the ongoing police investigation, including the subpoena earlier issued by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) against the senator.</p><p>“Sinasabi nga natin ito ay temporary lamang para sa mga individual na wanted supposedly sa mga hearing sa Senado. At maaaring makipag-coordinate ang PNP kung gano&#x27;ng katagal ‘yung Senate protection order. Pero hihintayin natin na mag-convene ang NCB/PCTC,” Tuaño explained.</p><p>As of Tuesday, the NCB Manila and the PCTC have yet to convene regarding the ICC warrant, which means the PNP has not received any direct instruction to arrest the senator.</p><p>In a message, PCTC executive director Romeo Prestoza said they have yet to receive the documents.</p><p>“We will wait for their transmittal to our office before we can act on it,” he said.</p><p>Meanwhile, the PNP said there is no need, for now, to publicly call on Dela Rosa to surrender, but assured the public that authorities would take the necessary steps to ensure the peaceful and orderly implementation of the warrant if needed.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/12/bato-camp-files-supplemental-motion-at-sc-vs-icc-arrest-warrant-1129"><strong>Bato camp confirms seeking Supreme Court intervention vs ICC warrant</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>NO OFFICIAL COMMS YET ON ICC WARRANT</strong></div><p>In a separate statement, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the PNP has not received any official communication or lawful directive regarding a reported ICC warrant involving Dela Rosa.</p><p>“At this time, the PNP has not received any official communication or lawful directive from the appropriate government authorities regarding the matter,” Nartatez said. </p><p>“As such, the PNP is not in a position to issue further comment pending proper verification and coordination through the appropriate channels,” he stressed. </p><p>The police added that any report about an alleged ICC warrant remains subject to due process and proper coordination with relevant government agencies and international law enforcement mechanisms.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MeL7I3wyycQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div>

<p>The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday denied claims that it was leaving the possible implementation of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa solely to other government agencies.</p>

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday denied claims that it was leaving the possible implementation of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa solely to other government agencies.

PNP denies leaving ICC warrant vs Dela Rosa to other agencies

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Nation

PNP denies leaving ICC warrant vs Dela Rosa to other agencies

Karen De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published May 12, 2026 01:50 PM PHT

|

Updated May 12, 2026 02:10 PM PHT

Read More:

PNP

police

ICC

warrant

Bato Dela Rosa

extradition

Interpol

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.