Philippine authorities promised Thursday to arrest "without delay" Senator Ronald dela Rosa, wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity related to the bloody war on drugs waged under ex-President Rodrigo Duterte.
This announcement comes the day after a Philippine court rejected a request filed by the senator to prevent his arrest. The Attorney General then authorized law enforcement to execute the warrant for the former national police chief.
The Philippine National Bureau of Investigation stated that it would enforce the law "without fear or favor." Its director, Melvin Matibag, said the senator would be arrested "whether he likes it or not."
Ronald dela Rosa is considered one of the main architects of the anti-drug campaign conducted under the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte between 2016 and 2022. This controversial policy was marked by thousands of deaths during police operations and alleged extrajudicial executions.
The former Philippine president, now 81 years old, has been detained in The Hague since his arrest last year. He is to be tried for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court, while continuing to deny the accusations against him.
After several months in hiding, Ronald dela Rosa reappeared publicly last week before taking refuge in the Philippine Senate. He then quietly left the premises following tense scenes and reports of gunfire amid rumors of his imminent arrest.
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