Metro Manila, Philippines – The grapevine was abuzz on Tuesday, Aug. 4, that authorities have arrested Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa – wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity – but Department of Justice and the Department of the Interior and Local Government said they could not confirm reports.
Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez said the department has yet to verify the reports.
“We cannot confirm that information, at least not yet. We’ll have to get back to you with that. We don’t have the information yet as to that particular case,” he said during a Tuesday briefing.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla also downplayed the reports, saying the Philippine National Police (PNP) has no information about an arrest.
“Please tell the press corps that as far as the PNP, we have no information to that effect,” he said.
The ICC publicly confirmed in May that it had issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
The warrant, initially issued under seal in November 2025, was later unsealed and classified as public.
The Supreme Court subsequently denied Dela Rosa’s plea for a temporary restraining order to stop the enforcement of any ICC warrant.
In May, Dela Rosa had left the Senate premises, where he had earlier sought protective custody under then former Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano.
