FACT CHECK: No confirmation yet on ICC arrest warrants for Dela Rosa, Go

Claim: Arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court (ICC) have been publicly issued for senators Christopher “Bong” Go and Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who have been named as co-perpetrators in former president Rodrigo Duterte’s crimes against humanity case.

Rating: FALSE

Why we fact-checked this: A Facebook post from March 2 has been spreading the claim, garnering over 1,600 reactions, 115 shares, and 749 comments as of writing. Other accounts on Facebook and YouTube have made related claims, with similar levels of engagement.
The attached graphic in the post features an image of Dela Rosa and Go with text that says: “Bato Dela Rosa at Bong Go buking himas rehas!” (Bato Dela Rosa and Bong Go caught, handcuffed!)
The post’s caption also claims that an arrest warrant has been issued for the senators: “Kagimbal-gimbal! Buking na ang lahat dahil sa biglang paglabas ng ICC warrant of arrest na magpapakulong kina Bato Dela Rosa at Bong Go ngayon.”

(Shocking! Everyone is in shock because of the sudden issuance of the ICC arrest warrant that will now imprison Bato Dela Rosa and Bong Go.)

The facts: Although there are reports of possible arrest warrants to be issued against the two senators, there is no official announcement from the ICC confirming that arrest warrants have already been issued or will be issued against Dela Rosa or Go.

While the ICC prosecution named Dela Rosa and Go as among Duterte’s co-perpetrators, warrants for their arrest have not been confirmed, according to various Philippine officials. 

On February 18, Senate President Tito Sotto stated that the chamber has not received an official notice from the ICC, adding, “Senator Bong Go has not received anything. Senator Dela Rosa has not received anything. So there’s nothing to talk about.”

Palace press officer Undersecretary Claire Castro stated on February 16 that the Philippine government has not yet officially received any arrest warrant against Duterte’s alleged co-perpetrators.

Meanwhile, Nicholas Kaufman, Duterte’s lead defense lawyer, said in a statement on February 14 that “none of these co-perpetrators are, in my opinion, currently subject to arrest warrants.”

Earlier in November 2025, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said that an ICC warrant has been issued for Dela Rosa, although Malacañang, the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Interior and Local Government said this supposed warrant has not been confirmed.

The ICC also said it cannot confirm the alleged issuance of a warrant, with ICC spokesperson Fadi El Abdallah saying that developments concerning ICC-related matters are released solely through the court’s official communication platforms.

Co-perpetrators: On February 13, the ICC released a lesser redacted version of the Document Containing the Charges in Duterte’s case. It publicly identified Go, Dela Rosa, and six others as alleged indirect co-perpetrators in Duterte’s alleged crimes, describing their involvement in a common plan to “neutralize” alleged criminals, including those linked to illegal drugs. 

Former ICC judge Raul Pangalangan told ANC in an interview that it was “possible” that warrants have been requested or issued against Duterte’s co-perpetrators under seal. 

In an interview with Rappler, ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang, without confirming whether they have requested an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa, said that any such request for any case should remain a secret to protect witnesses or ensure the efficiency of enforcement.

Case status: Duterte, who faces crimes against humanity charges over his administration’s brutal drug war, is now awaiting a decision from ICC judges on whether his case will proceed to a full trial.

Following the conclusion of his confirmation of charges hearing, in which the prosecution and defense presented their merits of the case, the judges are now set to deliberate on whether there is sufficient evidence to confirm the charges against Duterte.

Debunked: Rappler has previously debunked other false claims about the ICC, which surged in number since the February confirmation of charges hearings:

• FACT CHECK: Duterte not set to be released in February 2026, ICC case ongoing
• FACT CHECK: ICC judges did not walk out during Joel Butuyan’s opening statement
• FACT CHECK: Photo of Duterte with a gun, shown at ICC, taken out of context in viral video
• FACT CHECK: Duterte ICC case still ongoing, not dismissed
• FACT CHECK: ICC ruling on Duterte waiver misrepresented as decision on his release 

 – Alyanna Marie Cruz, Justine Schzean De Jesus, Monica Gleza De Vera, Princess Allysa Dumduma, Jo Hannah Estrada, Earl Gregorio Gigantone, Raymund Romeo Guzman/Rappler.com

This fact check was written by a group of students under the Social Media Dynamics class of Mr. Patrick Ernest Celso from the University of Santo Tomas. It was reviewed by a member of Rappler’s research team and a senior editor.

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