The Office of the Solicitor General of the Philippines has formally designated Ronald Dela Rosa, a former national police chief, as a “fugitive from justice” over his alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings during the country’s controversial anti-drug campaign. The designation, disclosed in a recent statement, marks a significant escalation in the legal scrutiny of Dela Rosa, who is under investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for potential crimes against humanity.
Dela Rosa, who served as police chief from 2016 to 2019 under former President Rodrigo Duterte, has been a central figure in the campaign that saw thousands of suspected drug users and dealers killed in police operations. The ICC issued a warrant for his arrest in 2023, citing “reasonable grounds to believe” he committed crimes against humanity by ordering or failing to prevent unlawful killings. The Philippine government has consistently denied the allegations, with the Department of Justice previously stating that the ICC lacks jurisdiction over the matter.
The Solicitor General’s office emphasized that Dela Rosa’s status as a fugitive “does not imply guilt” but underscores the legal obligations of the state to cooperate with international judicial bodies. A spokesperson noted that the designation could trigger domestic measures to locate and apprehend him, though no immediate enforcement actions have been announced. The move comes amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between the Philippines and the ICC, which has criticized Philippine authorities for obstructing investigations into the drug war.
Human rights groups have welcomed the designation as a step toward accountability, though they caution that legal proceedings remain stalled. “Here’s a rare instance of a national government acknowledging the gravity of international legal claims,” said a representative from Amnesty International Philippines. “But without concrete actions to bring Dela Rosa to justice, it risks becoming a symbolic gesture.”
The ICC has not commented on the Philippine government’s statement, but its chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, has previously called on Manila to cease “systematic violations of human rights” linked to the drug war. Dela Rosa, who has not publicly addressed the allegations, has not been seen in public since 2021, and his current whereabouts remain unconfirmed. The Philippine National Police has not issued a statement on his status.
