The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant for Ronald Marapon dela Rosa, a significant figure in the Philippines’ controversial “war on drugs.” The unsealed warrant, initially issued in secret last November, connects him to the alleged extrajudicial killings that occurred during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s term.
Charges Against Dela Rosa
Ronald Marapon dela Rosa, who formerly served as the Philippine national police chief and is a known ally of Duterte, faces charges of crimes against humanity for the murder of at least 32 individuals. These alleged crimes took place between July 2016 and late April 2018. According to the warrant, dela Rosa played a critical role as an “indirect co-perpetrator” in these murders.
During his presidency, Duterte, along with dela Rosa and other police officials, denied any involvement in unlawful killings of drug suspects. They maintained that the suspects were killed in self-defense situations during law enforcement operations. However, Duterte was known for his public threats against drug offenders, often advocating for lethal force.
Reaction and Current Developments
On Monday, dela Rosa made an unexpected appearance at the Philippine Senate amidst a new probe into the alleged extrajudicial killings. As he entered the Senate, officers from the National Bureau of Investigation attempted to apprehend him, but he quickly secured the protection of fellow senators in the plenary hall.
Antonio Trillanes, a former Philippine senator, revealed the warrant to the media in Manila, with its authenticity confirmed by the ICC. The warrant’s issuance has been welcomed by various human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch. Maria Elena Vignoli, a senior international justice counsel at the organization, described the warrant as “another blow to the wall of impunity protecting those who allegedly committed atrocities during the Philippines’ murderous ‘drug war.’” She urged Philippine authorities to expedite the arrest and extradition of dela Rosa to the ICC in The Hague.
Duterte’s Legal Troubles
Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in March last year in the Netherlands on similar charges of crimes against humanity. These charges are linked to the violent anti-drug operations he commanded while in office. Despite his denial of these charges, the judges have deemed the evidence sufficient for a trial, although no date has been set. Duterte has missed several court appearances, citing health issues as the reason.
The anti-drug campaign led by Duterte, which began during his tenure as the mayor of Davao and intensified after he assumed the presidency, resulted in thousands of deaths, primarily targeting impoverished drug suspects. This campaign drew severe criticism from human rights organizations and Western governments, including the United States, due to the alarming number of fatalities during police operations.
