Philippines Offers Bounty for Senator Wanted by International Criminal Court

Philippine officials have announced a bounty of 50 million pesos (approximately $787,000) for the capture of Senator Ronald dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity. The charges stem from deadly anti-drug crackdowns waged during former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration.

Dela Rosa, 64, is accused by the ICC of being an "indirect co-conspirator" in the actions of former President Duterte. The senator served as the national police chief under Duterte and was instrumental in enforcing the controversial drug war. He later retired from the police force, held a position as a top prisons official, and was elected to the Senate in 2019.

Estimates for the death toll during Duterte's six-year term vary significantly, with the national police reporting over 6,000 deaths, while human rights groups claim the number could be as high as 30,000. Both Duterte and dela Rosa have denied authorizing extrajudicial killings.

The ICC warrant, initially issued confidentially in November of the previous year, specifically charges dela Rosa with murder in connection with the deaths of "no less than 32 persons" between July 2016 and April 2018.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the bounty in a televised news conference, stating that authorities were monitoring dela Rosa in the southern Philippines and were negotiating for his peaceful surrender to avoid potential conflict. Remulla criticized dela Rosa for hiding, saying, "It’s time for the gloves to come off. It’s time to render justice to his victims."

A police task force has been established to lead the manhunt for dela Rosa, who is now considered "armed and dangerous." Philippine officials have stated that if captured, dela Rosa will be handed over to the ICC. Dela Rosa last appeared in public in May but left the Senate chambers after the ICC warrant became public. He has since gone into hiding.

Former President Duterte was arrested last year at Manila's international airport on an ICC warrant and was transported to The Hague, Netherlands, where his trial is scheduled to begin on November 30. The ICC's investigation into drug-related killings under Duterte's tenure covers the period from 2011, when he was mayor of Davao City, through 2019, his final year as president.