Authorities ‘at the right pace’ to enforce arrest warrant vs Dela Rosa

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos, Philippine News Agency

BACK TO WORK. After nearly six months of absence, Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa shows up at the Senate on May 11, 2026. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said on Tuesday (May 26) there is no delay in the enforcement of the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Dela Rosa, as law enforcement agencies continue their operations. (PNA file photo by Avito Dalan)

MANILA – Malacañang on Tuesday said authorities are moving at the right pace in implementing the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against Sen. Ronald dela Rosa in connection with the crimes against humanity charges tied to drug war deaths.

In an interview with dzBB, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said law enforcement agencies continue to carry out operations related to the arrest order against Dela Rosa.

While authorities regularly update the Palace on developments, Castro said operational matters are being handled by Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida.

“Meron po. May utos na po iyan (There is. An order has already been issued),” Castro said, when asked if there was already a directive from President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to enforce the warrant.

“Hindi po madali ang pagpapaaresto sa mga taong talagang nagtatago at may mga taong tumutulong para itago ang isang taong pugante. So, kailangan lang po talagang tutok sa trabaho (It is not easy to arrest people who are hiding — especially when others are helping hide a fugitive. Authorities simply need to stay focused on their work),” she added.

The Philippine National Police has mobilized tracker teams to implement the arrest warrant against Dela Rosa after the Supreme Court denied his petition for a temporary restraining order for lack of merit.

Dela Rosa has been listed as “defendant” and a person “at large” by the ICC, following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the anti-illegal drug campaign during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

He served as the country’s top cop at the height of the drug war from 2016 to 2019 and was accused of participating in a “common plan” to kill suspected drug offenders.

Dela Rosa was under Senate protective custody after months in hiding but left the Senate premises on May 14 to evade possible arrest.

Castro echoed the National Bureau of Investigation’s previous statement that Dela Rosa could be “armed and dangerous,” noting that he has shown no intention to surrender.

“Ang mga taong nasusukol, maaaring gumawa ng mga bagay na hindi dapat gawin dahil kahit ang dating Pangulong Duterte hindi ba sabi niya magkakamatayan kapag kinuha siya para dalhin sa ICC or kukunin siya sa ICC (People who feel cornered may do things they normally would not. Former President Duterte himself once said there could be bloodshed if he is taken to ICC),” she said.

“Meron siyang mga ganoong words. Panakot man ‘to o hindi siya panakot pero sila kasi yung magkakasama, sila yung pare-pareho ang ginagawa. So hindi natin matatawaran ang sinabi ni NBI director na armed and dangerous; so maaaring pwedeng ganoon (He used words like those. Whether those were threats or not, they are close allies and share the same actions and positions. So, we cannot simply dismiss the NBI director’s statement that he may be “’armed and dangerous.’ That could indeed be possible),” she added.