DILG: we know where Bato is

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has identified the locations where Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has allegedly been staying, according to Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla. This comes amid circulating reports claiming that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant of arrest related to the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign.

Remulla said the department has been keeping track of the senator’s movements, noting that dela Rosa has reportedly been transferring between several residences with the help of friends. The monitoring reportedly showed that he had been seen in multiple locations over the past three weeks, often using different vehicles to move from one place to another.

However, Remulla clarified that dela Rosa cannot be considered a fugitive at this stage, as no official ICC warrant has been formally received by Philippine authorities. He emphasized that under existing Supreme Court guidelines on extradition and international legal cooperation, dela Rosa is entitled to seek legal remedies before local courts should any formal action be initiated.

The DILG chief did not disclose the specific areas where the senator was reportedly staying, citing the sensitivity of the situation. He maintained that any government action will depend on the existence of a lawful order, reiterating that the decision of the courts—whether from the Regional Trial Court or higher—will guide the government’s next steps.