The Department of Justice (DOJ) has called on Atty. Jimmy Bondoc, counsel of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, to surrender his client following the Supreme Court’s denial of the senator’s request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the implementation of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.
DOJ Secretary Fredderick Vida made the appeal on Tuesday, saying the move is intended to help facilitate the enforcement of legal processes tied to the ICC-issued warrant.
“I have directed an issuance of a formal letter request asking him to provide the department (of Justice) with any information in his possession or available to him regarding the whereabouts or information leading to the location of Sen. (Ronald) Dela Rosa,” Vida said in a press briefing.
He added that Bondoc’s cooperation could help authorities properly serve the warrant.
“This is an opportunity for Atty. Bondoc to cooperate with legal processes and assist law enforcement authorities in the proper service of the ICC warrant,” Vida said.
Bondoc had earlier stated that he would only turn over his client if the warrant had been cleared before Philippine judicial authorities.
The development comes after the Supreme Court denied Dela Rosa’s plea for a TRO that would have halted the implementation of the ICC warrant of arrest.
The ICC issued the arrest warrant on November 6, 2025, against Dela Rosa in connection with crimes against humanity allegations linked to former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s anti-illegal drug campaign from 2016 to 2022.
Authorities have yet to disclose the current whereabouts of the senator as efforts to enforce the warrant continue.
Photo courtesy of ABS-CBN
Comments