The said order has been received by the Philippine government.
On Friday, May 15, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Fredderick Vida faced members of the media for a press conference.
During which, he confirmed that the arrest warrant issued by the international Criminal Court (ICC) against Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa has been received by the government.
The former Philippine National Police chief during the term of ex-President Rodrigo Duterte is facing possible charges of crimes against humanity in connection with the war on drugs waged by the past administration.
“I do confirm that there is a valid ICC arrest warrant and a pending request from ICC… it has been duly received by the Philippines,” said Vida.
The ICC announced on Tuesday the arrest warrant against the former Philippine police chief, which was first issued in November 2025 and unsealed on Monday, May 11.
Vida noted while the DOJ is expecting the Senate to hand over Dela Rosa, which it placed under its protective custody on Monday after his reappearance, to turn the senator over once the pending Supreme Court has been resolved.
He said the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) will submit its reply by Saturday in response to the 72-hour deadline set by the Supreme Court for the government to respond to the urgent manifestation of Dela Rosa to prevent his OCC warrant from being served.
Meanwhile, the Justice chief also confirmed that an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) has been issued to Bato, which could that he woud be arrested if he tries to leave the Philippines.
“The DOJ will treat any attempt of Sen. Bato dela Rosa to leave the country as a mockery of justice,” stressed Vida. “Kung siya ay magtatangkang aalis ng Pilipinas, ibang usapan na iyon.”
The SOJ also said that he has ordered law enforcement agencies, specifically border control authorities, to make an “appropriate arrest” should Senator Bato dela Rosa try to leave the country.
Vida also said that the DOJ is stands with the victims of the drug war, adding that Senator Dela Rosa is not the victim in this story.
“Dito po sa DOJ pag may kinasuhan po kami, kaya nga po People of the Philippines, kakampi ng biktima yung people of the Philipines, inuusig natin. Tandaan po natin sa mga nakalatag na ebidesnsya sa ICC, may mga biktima po na naghahanap ng katarungan.”
For his part, Dela Rosa’s legal counsel, Atty. Israelito Torreon, said in a TV interview that he has no information about Dela Rosa’s whereabouts following his move to flee the Senate on Thursday morning, hours after the standoff inside the building.
Although, he claimed, “Dela Rosa left the Senate premises because he does not want to endanger senators, media.”
Torreon also repeated their stance that a warrant from a local court should be issued before an arrest could be made, more so his ability to travel is “impaired.”