Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson on Wednesday maintained that Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa should first be brought before a Philippine court if arrested over his International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant, allowing him to exhaust available legal remedies before any transfer to the international tribunal.

In a radio interview, Lacson said involving local courts would ensure that Philippine judicial procedures are respected without preventing Dela Rosa from facing trial over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.

“Kung mahuli man siya, idaan man lang muna siya sa local court (If he is arrested, he should first be brought before a local court),” Lacson said.

He explained that the local court would not determine Dela Rosa’s guilt or innocence, as the charges fall under the jurisdiction of the ICC.

Instead, he said, the process would allow the senator to seek judicial relief, including from the Supreme Court (SC), before his possible surrender to The Hague-based tribunal.

“Pwede naman siyang dumulog hanggang sa Korte Suprema na siyang finally mag-de-decide kasi sila naman yung final arbiter eh o mag-i-interpret ng batas eh (He can seek relief up to the Supreme Court, which will make the final decision because it is the final arbiter and interpreter of the law),” he said.

Lacson cited existing Philippine legislation allowing cooperation with international tribunals, although he acknowledged that its provisions were not necessarily mandatory.

Republic Act 9851, or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity, allows Philippine authorities to surrender or extradite suspects to international courts under applicable laws and treaties.

However, whether an ICC arrest warrant must first undergo local judicial validation remains legally disputed.

The Office of the Solicitor General argued before the SC in May that the ICC warrant against Dela Rosa could be enforced without a corresponding arrest warrant or validation from a Philippine court.

Lacson, however, maintained that the country’s judicial institutions should be respected even when the criminal charges are being prosecuted internationally.

His position follows his clarification Tuesday that extending due process to dela Rosa does not mean shielding his former Philippine National Police subordinate from facing the ICC.

The ICC issued an arrest warrant against dela Rosa on Nov. 6, 2025, which was unsealed on May 11, 2026, over his alleged responsibility for killings committed during the government’s anti-drug campaign from July 2016 to April 2018.

Dela Rosa has remained out of public view following his brief appearance at the Senate on May 11, while authorities continue efforts to locate and arrest him.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government announced on Oct. 23 a PHP50-million reward for information leading to his capture. (PNA)