Metro Manila, Philippines – The Supreme Court rejected on Tuesday, Nov. 18, the bid of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa to compel the production of the supposed International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant of arrest against him.
Dela Rosa, through his lawyer Israelito Torreon, filed with the high court on Nov. 12 a “very urgent motion” seeking to order Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla to submit a copy of the alleged ICC arrest warrant against the senator.
Remulla had said in a radio show that the ICC has issued a warrant for Dela Rosa in relation to the crimes against humanity case of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The Department of Justice said it has not received any warrant from Interpol.
The filing was in relation to the pending petition that questioned the arrest of Duterte and subsequent detention in the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands in March.
The court, however, told respondents to comment on Dela Rosa’s Nov. 13 “very urgent manifestation” within 10 days from notice.
Dela Rosa, in the “very urgent manifestation,” prayed to the court to take judicial notice of Remulla’s statements regarding the alleged ICC warrant against him.
The senator sought to direct the justice and foreign affairs departments to submit certifications confirming or denying whether any ICC-related warrant, note verbale, or communication has been received through official channels.
He also asked the SC to issue a temporary restraining order and/or writ of preliminary injunction against enforcing the arrest of Dela Rosa, extending assistance to ICC witnesses, and transmitting any ICC-related communication or correspondence.
Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan earlier explained that extradition or surrender were the two possible courses of action should the ICC issue a warrant against Dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa was the Philippine National Police chief who implemented the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs, which killed over 6,000 individuals.
