Jonathan Frederic De Santos

Kristina Conti and families of EJK victims

Article (news)

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The families of drug war victims expect that Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, implementor of the drug war in the previous administration, will neither hide nor resist arrest if it turns out the International Criminal Court has really issued a warrant for his arrest, one of their lawyers said.ICC Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti, National Union of People’s Lawyers secretary-general, said this as she cited Dela Rosa&#x27;s previous statement he was &quot;ready&quot; for it.  “Fortunately, kung pagbabatayan natin ang statement ni Bato mismo, eh siya mismo hindi raw siya manlalaban, hindi raw siya magre-resist ng arrest at kumbaga he will submit himself voluntarily kung dumating na ang warrant. Susundan niya lang, sabi niya, ‘yung proseso,” she told DZMM Teleradyo on Sunday, November 9. (Fortunately, if we go by Bato&#x27;s statement, he said he would not resist arrest and, in a way, he will submit himself voluntarily if the warrant comes. He said he will follow the process)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/24/dela-rosa-ready-if-icc-issues-arrest-warrant-against-him-2006">Dela Rosa &#x27;ready&#x27; if ICC issues arrest warrant against him </a></div>Dela Rosa in September only said he is ready in case a warrant is issued against him.Conti emphasized that they can “neither confirm nor deny” if indeed an arrest warrant has been released by ICC, saying that the international body has yet to issue a confirmation.While there were instances that the ICC made public its arrest warrants to prominent world leaders namely Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, it could be a different case for Dela Rosa.The ICC has, in the past, posted redacted documents on its website and, Conti said, it could be that the supposed warrant &quot;is not yet for public consumption.&quot;<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/9/alleged-icc-warrant-vs-bato-figment-of-remulla-s-fertile-imagination-says-duterte-lawyer-1201">Alleged ICC warrant vs Bato &#x27;figment of Remulla&#x27;s fertile imagination,&#x27; says Duterte lawyer</a></div>Conti believes the arrest warrant was supposed to be kept in secret until such arrest is made, similar to what happened to former President Rodrigo Duterte.“Pinagchichismisan pero hindi nakumpirma until hinuhuli na siya,” she said. (There was talk about it, but there was no confirmation until he was already arrested)<div> </div><div>CAN THE SENATE ‘PROTECT’ BATO?</div>Conti, in her view, said the Senate could “possibly” protect Bato but not forever.“Possible, pero hindi dapat protektahan ng Senado ang mga mamamatay-tao o kaya maski mga korap. So hindi basta-basta ‘yung proteksyon na ibibigay ng Senado,” she stated.(It&#x27;s possible, but the Senate should not protect a murderer or even a corrupt member. So, that will not just be an ordinary form of protection)She added that Dela Rosa will have to engage the ICC process through, for example, a motion to dismiss the for now hypothetical charges.“Hindi ‘yan pwedeng basta-bastang magtago na lang sa Senado forever,” Conti emphasized. (He cannot just seek refuge at the Senate forever)<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/8/bato-s-rumored-icc-warrant-cayetano-cries-due-process-some-house-reps-call-for-arrest-1701">Bato&#x27;s rumored ICC warrant: Cayetano cries due process, some House reps call for arrest </a></div>Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III on Saturday said they cannot allow any senator to be arrested in the Senate premises “to preserve the dignity of the Senate, and as a matter of institutional courtesy”. “Outside the Senate premises, that’s no longer our concern,” he noted. The Senate leader also said he is not privy to whether a warrant does exist for Dela Rosa.Conti acknowledged Sotto’s stance but believes that there is no explicit rule that prohibits police officers from making an arrest inside the Senate.Under the 1987 Constitution, members of Congress are &quot;privileged from arrest while the Congress is in session&quot; for alleged crimes punishable by six years in prison or below.“Siguro caution lang doon sa mga manghuhuli na edi hintayin na lang matapos ‘yung session. O kaya sa labas ng Senado hulihin,” Conti said of Sotto&#x27;s statement. (Maybe it was just a word of caution to law enforcers to wait until the session is over. Or to effect the arrest outside)

The families of drug war victims expect that Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, implementor of the drug war in the previous administration, will neither hide nor resist arrest if it turns out the International Criminal Court has really issued a warrant for his arrest, one of their lawyers said.

The families of drug war victims expect that Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, implementor of the drug war in the previous administration, will neither hide nor resist arrest if it turns out the International Criminal Court has really issued a warrant for his arrest, one of their lawyers said.

Drug war victims’ kin expect Bato to face alleged ICC warrant head on — lawyer

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Drug war victims’ kin expect Bato to face alleged ICC warrant head on — lawyer

Harlene Delgado,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 09, 2025 02:31 PM PHT

Read More:

Ronald Dela Rosa

International Criminal Court

Kristina Conti

Rise Up for Life and Rights

Drug war

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