Sotto says Senate off-limits to arrests amid alleged ICC warrant vs Bato
MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said the upper chamber cannot allow the arrest of any sitting senator within its premises, in response to reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has allegedly issued a warrant of arrest against Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
“I am not privy to the warrant being issued,” Sotto said when sought for comment on Saturday, November 8.
"But as I have said in the past and in consultation with some members of the Senate, to preserve the dignity of the Senate, and as a matter of institutional courtesy, we cannot allow any senator to be arrested in the Senate premises, he added.
Sotto clarified, however, that the chamber has no jurisdiction beyond its own grounds.
“Outside the Senate premises, that’s no longer our concern,” he said.
Earlier, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said in a radio interview that the ICC has reportedly issued a warrant of arrest against Dela Rosa in connection with the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Dela Rosa, former PNP chief under then-president Rodrigo Duterte, played a central role in the controversial war on drugs, known as "Oplan Tokhang," from 2016 to 2022.
Government records cite around 6,252 deaths of drug suspects, but human rights groups estimate the toll could be 12,000 to 30,000, most of them small-time users and pushers.
Many of these killings, carried out by the police and other groups during anti-drug operations, were extrajudicial, drawing international criticism and triggering ICC investigations.
Duterte, 80, has been detained at the ICC detention center in The Hague since March 13, facing three counts of crimes against humanity linked to his controversial war on drugs as both Davao City mayor and Philippine president.
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