Philippine Supreme Court says won’t stop ICC arrest of drug war enforcer

Key points

• The Philippine Supreme Court refused on Wednesday (May 20, 2026) to block the arrest of a fugitive senator wanted by the International Criminal Court over his role in the nation’s deadly drug war.
• The interim ruling clears the way for the potential arrest of Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, the former national police chief who was the Chief Enforcer of e President Rodrigo Duterte’s crackdown.
• “The Supreme Court, in a vote of 9-5-1, denied the prayer for a temporary restraining order and/or status quo ante order filed by Senator Ronald “Bato” M.
• Dela Rosa,” a court statement said.
• “Do not lose heart,” Dela Rosa’s lawyer Israelito Torreon said in a statement, adding he will ask the court to reconsider its ruling.