Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III confirmed Monday that the police organization is preparing for any scenario involving the possible issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa, who was recently reelected to the Senate, previously served as PNP chief and is widely known as the architect of the Duterte administration’s controversial war on drugs. The ICC’s ongoing investigation into alleged crimes against humanity during that campaign centers around former President Rodrigo Duterte, with Dela Rosa’s role also coming under scrutiny.
“Obviously, we are also making contingencies na ‘pag may nangyari ngang ganito, ano ang ating gagawin, ‘pag may nangyayaring ganon, ganon ang ating gagawin,” Torre told members of the media at Camp Crame following his appointment as the new PNP chief.
Torre, however, did not elaborate on the details of these contingency measures. He emphasized that the government’s response would be made based on how events unfold.
“We’ll just cross the bridge when we are there,” he said. “It’s really something that has to be acted upon ‘pag andyan na, okay? We’ll make decisions as it comes.”
The PNP’s stance suggests that while they are preparing for potential outcomes, including the unlikely but possible issuance of an ICC arrest warrant against a sitting senator, they will withhold official action until necessary.
Dela Rosa, for his part, has claimed that the ICC is actively pursuing its case in the Philippines, alleging that investigators are currently gathering affidavits related to the drug war. Despite the Philippine government’s formal withdrawal from the ICC in 2019, the court maintains that it retains jurisdiction over crimes committed during the country’s membership, specifically from July 2016 to March 2019.
This development puts added pressure on the Marcos administration to clarify its position on cooperating with the ICC and navigating the complex intersection of domestic authority and international accountability.
As discussions surrounding accountability for the drug war continue, the PNP’s public acknowledgment of contingency planning signals that international legal proceedings may have more tangible effects on current political figures in the Philippines.