Dela Rosa arrest reports unconfirmed, DILG, DOJ say no info

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) said they have no information yet on reports that Senator Bato dela Rosa has been arrested. Dela Rosa, wanted by the International Criminal Court due to crimes against humanity, has been in hiding since May. He served as the first Philippine National Police chief during the administration of Rodrigo Duterte. Both the DILG and DOJ stressed that they have not received any official reports from law enforcement agencies or relevant bodies concerning the matter. As of now, there has been no official confirmation regarding Senator dela Rosa's whereabouts or custodial status. Senator dela Rosa is a subject of the ICC's investigation due to his alleged involvement in human rights abuses during the "war on drugs" under the Duterte administration. While the Philippine government does not recognize the ICC's jurisdiction, international pressure persists. These reports of arrest highlight the growing attention both domestically and internationally on Senator dela Rosa's legal accountability and future actions. However, if authorities possess no information, questions arise about the credibility of the reports and their sources. The actions of high-ranking officials under investigation by the ICC are always a focal point in Philippine politics, and this incident, as part of that context, will be closely watched for future developments. Source: Rappler Philippines