MANILA — The International Criminal Court (ICC) is reportedly investigating Senator Ronald Dela Rosa and former police chief Oscar Albayalde for their involvement in the Philippines’ controversial war on drugs.
This follows the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is facing trial for crimes against humanity related to the brutal anti-drug campaign.
According to Kristina Conti, an assistant to ICC counsel, both Dela Rosa and Albayalde have been named in ICC documents as key figures responsible for the thousands of deaths during the 2016-2022 campaign.
The Philippine government has stated that it will cooperate with any future arrest warrants from the ICC via Interpol, although Palace Press Officer Claire Castro noted that the situation could differ if the individuals voluntarily surrender.
Dela Rosa, who served as PNP chief from 2016 to 2018, oversaw the launch of “Oplan Tokhang,” a program that led to extrajudicial killings of suspected drug offenders.
Meanwhile, Albayalde, who succeeded Dela Rosa in 2018, continued the war on drugs, a.k.a. “Tokhang Reloaded,” amid allegations of corruption and involvement in drug-related anomalies.
Both men face increasing scrutiny, with the possibility of more arrests as the investigation progresses.
Despite the Philippine government’s refusal to cooperate with the ICC after its withdrawal from the Rome Statute, ICC officials remain confident in the evidence and ongoing legal proceedings, suggesting that more individuals could be implicated as the case unfolds.
Official records by the Philippine National Police claim at least 6,000 Filipinos perished in Duterte’s infamous War on Drugs while human rights groups claim the number of deaths under the bloody anti-drug campaign could be within the vicinity of around 30,000.
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