Palace challenges Bato dela Rosa to face ICC case if he has nothing to fear

Floyd Brenz., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 28, 2026

Photo Courtesy: RTVM

Malacañang has urged Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to face the International Criminal Court case against him, saying he should not fear the proceedings if he believes his conscience is clear.

Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro made the statement in response to claims by Dela Rosa’s wife, Nancy, that efforts to arrest the senator amounted to persecution.

Castro said the Palace respects Nancy’s situation but rejected her characterization of the arrest effort, noting that complaints linked to alleged crimes against humanity during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs had been raised as early as 2017.

She also called attention to the victims of alleged extrajudicial killings, including poor Filipinos who were reportedly killed and had evidence planted against them. Castro said justice must also be pursued for those who were killed, oppressed or abused during the anti-drug campaign.

Dela Rosa has remained in hiding since the ICC arrest warrant against him became public. The warrant, issued in connection with the drug war case involving former president Rodrigo Duterte, concerns allegations of crimes against humanity.

Nancy recently appealed to her husband’s influential friends and supporters to help him, saying he needed assistance rather than persecution.

The Palace, however, maintained that Dela Rosa should face the case before the international tribunal rather than remain in hiding.