A top legal assistant to the International Criminal Court (ICC) has revealed that Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa may soon be issued an arrest warrant in connection with the crimes against humanity case tied to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial war on drugs.
In a video shared on Monday, Kristina Conti, ICC assistant to counsel, explained that the court views Dela Rosa as a key player in the implementation of extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s administration. Dela Rosa, who served as Philippine National Police chief at the height of the drug war, was described as a “co-perpetrator” in the crackdown.
“It was not just him,” Conti said, referring to Duterte. “This would not have happened without all the others.”
She added that while Duterte gave the orders, it was officers like Dela Rosa who carried them out. She believes arrest warrants will follow for other top officials involved, with Dela Rosa among the first.
Dela Rosa had previously said he would go into hiding if the ICC came after him, but now claims he is ready to turn himself in once a formal warrant is issued.
Former President Duterte is currently being held at the ICC Detention Center in The Hague after his arrest last March 11.
