Torreon law firm questions legal basis of P50-M reward vs Dela Rosa; Senate minority urges ‘peaceful resolution’

MANILA — The Senate minority on Saturday urged the government to pursue dialogue with Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and ensure due process in implementing the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) arrest warrant against him, warning against a confrontation that could cost Filipino lives.

In a statement, the minority said it was prepared to help facilitate discussions between Dela Rosa’s camp and the government to establish a lawful process through which the senator could answer the allegations against him.

“We appeal to everyone concerned—the executive, law enforcement, Senator Dela Rosa and his family and counsel, his supporters, and anyone who can influence events on the ground—to exercise restraint and keep communication open,” the statement read.

The minority also welcomed Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s preference for negotiations over an operation that could lead to casualties.

“Walang Pilipinong dapat mamatay para lamang mapatunayan ng sinuman ang kanyang punto,” it said.

The appeal came as authorities continued efforts to take Dela Rosa into custody. 

The minority said Dela Rosa had publicly expressed his willingness to face the accusations before Philippine courts and called for peaceful support.

“Senator Dela Rosa has publicly stated that he is prepared to face accusations and charges before Philippine courts. He has also called for peaceful support. We ask the government to consider his stated willingness as a basis for dialogue,” it said.

“The Minority is ready to help work out a lawful process through which the allegations can be heard and answered, with fairness to those seeking justice and a full opportunity for him to defend himself,” it added. 

The ICC unsealed its arrest warrant against Dela Rosa on May 11, 2026. The warrant had originally been issued under seal on Nov. 6, 2025. 

Dela Rosa, who served as Philippine National Police chief under former President Rodrigo Duterte, is among those implicated in the ICC’s investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed during the administration’s anti-drug campaign. 

In its statement, the Senate minority invoked the country’s withdrawal from the Rome Statute  and the Marcos administration’s previous objections to ICC involvement, arguing that Philippine sovereignty and the rights of Filipino citizens should remain central to government decisions.

The minority also cited a hypothetical visit to Manila by Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is subject to an ICC arrest warrant, saying Philippine authorities would be expected to carefully assess domestic law, international obligations and legal procedures before any arrest or surrender.

“We respectfully appeal to the President and the concerned agencies to work with Senator Dela Rosa’s counsel toward a peaceful resolution,” it said. “The Minority stands with our colleague and is ready to help facilitate that discussion, confident that our institutions can uphold the law, protect his rights, and pursue justice without needless loss of life.”

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa’s legal counsel, Atty. Israelito Torreon, questioned the government’s P50-million reward for information leading to the senator’s arrest, demanding that authorities disclose the legal basis for the bounty.

Torreon initially declined to comment on the one-week ultimatum for Dela Rosa to surrender and the reward announced by Remulla.

“Sa lahat po ng nagrerequest ng Comment sa kampo ni Senator Ronald Dela Rosa tungkol sa 1 week ultimatum Kay Sen. Dela Rosa para sumuko at ang P50M pabuya para sa makapagturo sa kaniya. Ito po ang aming Comment : No Comment,” Torreon said in a Facebook post.

His law firm, Torreon & Partners, subsequently challenged the government’s move, asking authorities to present the arrest warrant, the criminal case number and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) memorandum circular authorizing the reward.

“For Senator Dela Rosa, no Philippine court is waiting for him to answer, because no Philippine case has been filed. Section 17 of Republic Act No. 9851 provides that Philippine authorities “may” surrender a person to an international court. That word is permissive. It is not a command, and it is not a warrant,” the law firm said in its Facebook post.

The firm argued that the government was relying on an ICC warrant without a corresponding warrant issued by a Philippine court.

“The only document the government has is a warrant from the International Criminal Court. That is a foreign tribunal under a treaty the Philippines withdrew from effective March 17, 2019. No Philippine judge has examined that warrant, adopted it, or issued one of his own,” the law firm said.

It also questioned the use of public funds for the reward, saying the government must establish a clear legal basis for the expenditure.

“The P50 million is not private money. By the government’s own account, it comes from intelligence funds. That makes the problem more serious, not less,” the law firm said.

The firm likewise challenged Remulla’s description of Dela Rosa as “armed and dangerous,” arguing that no court had determined that the senator posed such a threat.

“The label came from a press briefing, and it does not stand alone. It comes with three other things: a Palace warning about bloodshed; a bounty offered for his “capture”; and a task force created for the sole purpose of locating and arresting him,” the law firm said.

Remulla earlier said a task force led by Lt. Gen. Wilson Lopez had been formed specifically to locate and arrest Dela Rosa.