The International Criminal Court (ICC) may soon issue arrest warrants for Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde following the recent detention of former president Rodrigo Duterte.
In a DZBB Super Radyo interview on March 12, ICC assistant to counsel Atty. Kristina Conti confirmed that both Dela Rosa and Albayalde were among those identified in the tribunal’s documents as key figures in Duterte’s controversial war on drugs.
“May tatlong pangalan kasing binanggit doon sa mga dokumento ng ICC. Noon pa man sinisilip nila na responsible: Duterte, Bato dela Rosa at Oscar Albayalde,” Conti said.
She added in a separate interview with ANC that Dela Rosa is considered one of the principal figures responsible for the drug war, while Albayalde has also been named as a liable party.
The ICC’s investigation into the bloody campaign may also implicate other former PNP officials. Conti revealed that at least three additional police officers could be held accountable, though their involvement has yet to be officially documented. The officials mentioned in prior reports include former CIDG chief Romeo Caramat Jr., ex-National Police Commission commissioner Edilberto Leonardo, and former PNP intelligence officer Eleazar Matta.
Dela Rosa, who led the PNP from 2016 to 2018, played a key role in implementing Duterte’s anti-drug policies, which resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings. Despite the ICC’s probe, he has remained defiant, questioning the tribunal’s jurisdiction over the Philippines.
“Hindi ako natatakot, bring it on,” Dela Rosa said in an interview with One PH earlier this month, adding that he is prepared to challenge the ICC’s authority in the Supreme Court if an arrest warrant is issued against him.
However, Dela Rosa was unreachable for comment on March 12, the day Duterte was arrested. His staff also declined to confirm whether he was still in the country.
Meanwhile, Albayalde, who succeeded Dela Rosa as PNP chief, has consistently denied any human rights violations under his command. He maintained that the police force operated within legal boundaries, despite allegations that extrajudicial killings were widespread.
“Ang pinatupad po natin is ‘yung ating tinatawag na Oplan Double Barrel… Ang nakasaad doon is to intensify ‘yung operations against illegal drugs,” Albayalde told ABS-CBN News in May 2024, reiterating that all police actions followed legal procedures.
Despite being linked to the 2013 Pampanga “ninja cops” scandal, in which rogue police officers were accused of recycling seized drugs, Albayalde insisted on his innocence. He stepped down as PNP chief in 2019 but is now eyeing a mayoral seat in Angeles City, Pampanga, in the 2025 elections.
