Philippines top court rejects bid to block arrest of senator wanted by ICC

"The Philippine Supreme Court has refused to block the arrest of a senator wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity. Senator Ronald dela Rosa, whose whereabouts are unknown, is wanted by the court in The Hague for his role in the country's war on drugs during Rodrigo Duterte's 2016-2022 presidency. He has denied involvement in illegal killings. For now, we can say that the warrant of arrest is valid against Senator Bato dela Rosa, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's spokeswoman Claire Castro told reporters on Wednesday."

"Philippine authorities last week confirmed they were seeking to arrest dela Rosa, who had argued in a petition to the court that law enforcement had no legal authority to execute an arrest warrant issued by a foreign court. The interim ruling on Wednesday clears the way for the potential arrest of the senator, the latest turn in a dramatic story that has gripped the Philippines since early last week. Dela Rosa emerged from six months of hiding last week and took refuge at the Senate for several days before fleeing in the early hours of Thursday after a shooting incident between government agents and Senate security personnel that sent senators rushing for cover in their offices."

"Dela Rosa's lawyer said in a statement they will exhaust all legal remedies, including filing a motion for reconsideration: Today's resolution is not a judgment on the merits. It is not a final ruling on the legality of enforcing an ICC process within Philippine territory. Castro said the government will leave it to the Department of Justice to interpret the Supreme Court's ruling. The court said that while the restraining order had been denied, other issues in the senator's petition had yet to be addressed."

The Philippine Supreme Court denied a request to block the arrest of Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the ICC in The Hague for crimes against humanity tied to the 2016–2022 war on drugs. The court’s interim ruling cleared the way for potential arrest, while other issues raised in his petition were not yet addressed. Dela Rosa had argued that Philippine law enforcement lacked legal authority to execute an arrest warrant issued by a foreign court. Authorities confirmed they were seeking to arrest him. Dela Rosa denied involvement in illegal killings and had been in hiding, later taking refuge at the Senate before fleeing after a shooting incident involving government agents and Senate security personnel. His lawyer said legal remedies would be exhausted, including a motion for reconsideration.

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