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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DILG says: No official ICC arrest warrant received yet for Bato

DILG says: No official ICC arrest warrant received yet for Bato

Published Jan 14, 2026 02:52 pm
DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic’’ Remulla (Photo courtesy of PNP via DILG)
DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic’’ Remulla (Photo courtesy of PNP via DILG)
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Wednesday, Jan. 14, that it has not yet received the formal copy of the supposed arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Senator Ronald “Bato’’ dela Rosa.
DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic’’ Remulla noted that the lawmaker is believed to be in Davao amid reports of the existence of the alleged ICC arrest warrant.
“Ang alam ko, kasi magkapitbahay kami dito sa Cavite, pero hindi na siya nauwi dito. Alam ko nasa Davao kasama ang kaniyang pamilya (As far as I know, we are neighbors in Cavite but he has not gone home there. I know he is in Davao with his family),’’ Remulla said.
Remulla explained that the DILG cannot do anything without having the formal copy of the actual arrest warrant.
“Wala pa akong nakikita (ICC arrest warrant). Haka-haka lang (I haven’t seen it. Only mere speculation),” he added.
Dela Rosa has yet to make any public appearance, even skipping Senate hearings and sessions, after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla, who is also the DILG chief’s brother, said that the ICC has reportedly issued a warrant against the senator.
Dela Rosa served as the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) during the implementation of the drug war under the Duterte administration.
The DILG chief also noted that the department has not yet received any information whether the former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan will return to the Philippines.
“Wala pa (information). Hindi pa kami nag-uusap (Bonoan) at wala kaming communication (We still have no information. We have not talked yet and we have no communication),’’ Remulla added.
Meanwhile, Remulla assured that the investigations related to alleged irregularities in government’s flood control projects are ongoing, noting that no one will be exempted from the probe.
“Siyempre lahat 'yan (those involved). Wala naman sacred cows dito. Lahat talaga kung kamag-anak man, kung malakas man, kung kakampi man, kung kalaban man, lahat 'yan kasama sa pagtutugis (Of course all of them. There are no sacred cows here. All of them, whether they are relatives, influential personalities, partymates or political rivals, all them will be pursued),’’ Remulla asserted.
In November 2025, Bureau of Immigration (BI) spokesperson Dana Sandoval confirmed that Bonoan had left the Philippines amid the investigation into anomalous flood control projects.
"We confirm that former secretary Manny Bonoan departed this afternoon for the United States via Taiwan,” Sandoval earlier said.
“Upon encounter, immigration officers immediately coordinated with the DOJ (Department of Justice) to verify if a hold departure order or warrant of arrest was in effect. The DOJ confirmed that none exists, hence he was cleared to depart,” she added.
Earlier, the DOJ confirmed that Bonoan left the country to accompany his wife for a medical procedure in the United States.
"We confirm the earlier departure of former DPWH secretary Manuel Bonoan for the United States of America to accompany his wife for the latter’s medical procedure. Travel has been reported to be up until December 17, 2025,” the DOJ said.
“Currently, there exists no legal prohibition to Bonoan’s constitutional right to travel,” it added.
Bonoan, who resigned as DPWH secretary in August 2025, is covered by an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) earlier issued by the DOJ.
The BI said that Bonoan has yet to return to the Philippines even after his declared date of return on Dec. 17, 2025.
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