MANILA — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Tuesday released an official statement marking his 64th birthday, breaking weeks of public silence as scrutiny continues over the International Criminal Court’s investigation into the Philippines’ anti-drug campaign during the Duterte administration.

Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief and a key architect of the government’s war on drugs, has been linked to the ICC probe, which is examining alleged crimes against humanity committed between 2011 and 2019. The investigation covers the period when then president Rodrigo Duterte served as Davao City mayor and later as president, as well as the role of top law-enforcement officials who implemented the campaign nationwide.

Although the Philippines formally withdrew from the ICC in 2019, the court has maintained that it retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes committed while the country was still a member state. The Marcos administration has repeatedly stated it will not cooperate with the ICC, arguing that the court no longer has authority over the Philippines.

Dela Rosa has not appeared publicly in recent weeks amid reports that the ICC prosecutor is pursuing accountability for senior officials involved in the anti-drug operations. While no arrest warrant against the senator has been publicly confirmed, his name has been frequently cited in discussions surrounding command responsibility and policy implementation during the campaign.

In his statement, dela Rosa rejected what he described as “foreign meddling” and insisted that any case against him should be addressed under Philippine law and before Philippine courts. He said he remains patient and composed, framing his refusal to submit to international jurisdiction as an act of patriotism rather than evasion.

The senator also criticized Filipinos who support ICC involvement, questioning their willingness to place national sovereignty in foreign hands. He argued that justice should be pursued domestically and warned against what he called the erosion of the country’s independence.

Human rights groups estimate that thousands were killed during the anti-drug campaign, figures that government officials have disputed. Previous administrations have maintained that the killings occurred during legitimate police operations, while critics argue that systemic abuses went unpunished.

Dela Rosa ended his statement by thanking supporters and expressing hope that justice would be served “on our shores, in our courts,” as the political and legal debate over the ICC’s role in the Philippines continues.

Patriotism or Avoidance

Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa calls his refusal to engage the ICC an act of patriotism. He argues sovereignty matters, jurisdiction is disputed, and justice belongs in Philippine courts. For supporters, standing firm against foreign pressure protects independence and due process.

But silence amid scrutiny reads differently to critics. Weeks without public answers, a birthday statement instead of engagement, and blanket rejection create distance from accountability. The ICC claims jurisdiction over alleged crimes during membership, and victims still seek answers. National pride should not substitute for reckoning.

Is this a defense of sovereignty, or a calculated pause that lets time blunt responsibility?

Image from Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa