Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday criticized the attempted enforcement of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Senator Ronald dela Rosa, saying foreign-issued warrants should first be presented before Philippine courts.
Speaking in The Hague, where she is visiting detained former President Rodrigo Duterte, Duterte said the implementation of the ICC warrant against dela Rosa was improper, similar to what she described as the flawed arrest process carried out against her father in March 2025.
“Ang isang warrant of arrest na galing sa labas ng Pilipinas, hindi issued by a Philippine court, should be presented in a Philippine court,” the Vice President said.
Rodrigo Duterte, 81, was arrested earlier this year based on an ICC warrant linked to the administration’s controversial anti-illegal drugs campaign. He was subsequently flown to The Hague, where he remains detained.
Dela Rosa resurfaced at the Senate on Monday after six months of absence and was reportedly confronted with an attempt by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to serve the ICC warrant against him.
The warrant, initially issued under secrecy on Nov. 6, 2026, is tied to the killings associated with the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. Dela Rosa served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the height of the anti-narcotics campaign now under ICC investigation.
The Senate was briefly placed on lockdown amid the attempted approach by NBI agents.
Lawyers of dela Rosa later filed a manifestation before the Supreme Court seeking immediate judicial protection.
Newly installed Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano later said dela Rosa would not be arrested Monday night following discussions with NBI Director Melvin Matibag. Cayetano said the Senate’s position was that the issue should first pass through Philippine courts.
Meanwhile, Duterte declined to comment on the leadership change in the Senate that resulted in the removal of Senate President Vicente Sotto III.
“Kung ano yung liderato sa loob ng Senado, desisyon ‘yon ng mga senators,” she said
