Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said he is grateful to Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla for allegedly providing him advance information about an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), saying it allowed him time to prepare and focus on his faith.

“Pasalamat ako sa inyo na nabigyan ako ng advance info na mayroon akong warrant. Naka-enjoy ako ng 6 months at nakapag-bible study ako,” Dela Rosa said, referring to what he described as a six-month period before the warrant became public.

Dela Rosa’s remarks come after Ombudsman Remulla confirmed in DZRH’s Executive Session on November 8, 2025 that an arrest warrant had been issued against the senator, though further details about its implementation have not been made public at the time.

On Monday, May 11, the ICC confirmed it had issued an arrest warrant for a longtime ally of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte, accusing Dela Rosa of crimes against humanity for overseeing Duterte’s war on drugs.

The international court also said it is currently in the process of unsealing the warrant of arrest and will circulate the document as soon as it becomes available.

The Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC, having withdrawn from the Rome Statute in 2019. However, the tribunal has maintained that it retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country was still a state party.

Dela Rosa, a close ally of Duterte and a key figure in the drug war as former national police chief, has repeatedly questioned the ICC’s authority over Philippine officials.