MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) said it has not received any alleged arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Senator Ronald dela Rosa.

In a press briefing, DOJ officials described reports of the warrant as unconfirmed, stressing that discussions on extradition or surrender remain “theoretical.”

“At this point in time, the state is seriously studying all options available to it. We are not closing the door on extradition or surrender per se. And until now, we have not seen nor received a copy of this ICC warrant of arrest,” Chief State Counsel Dennis Chan said.

He added, “So lahat ‘to in the theoretical space pa lang tayo (Everything is still in the theoretical space). What we in the Department of Justice just want to come out in the open and explain that there are two options available to the state under Republic Act No. A 9851. And that is extradition or surrender.”

RA 9851, or the Philippine Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law, Genocide, and Other Crimes Against Humanity, provides the legal framework for the government to extradite or surrender individuals accused of international crimes. DOJ officials noted that no decision has been made should a warrant be received.

Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon said the DOJ may wait for a ruling by the Supreme Court on a petition filed by lawyer Israelito Torreon challenging the proceedings against former President Rodrigo Duterte in March, noting that dela Rosa is the petitioner in that case.

“Since the petitioner in that particular case is Senator Bato de la Rosa himself, we find it best that we wait for the resolution of the Supreme Court on the matter,” Fadullon said.

Chan added that while the Philippines is not legally compelled, it is obliged to consider international arrest warrants, such as those issued by the ICC, through Interpol.

“We live in a world of interconnected countries and nations. So, we belong to an international community of nations. Even if we may not be part of the ICC anymore, there is still that principle of reciprocity that governs between relations among nations, and in fact reciprocity and comity,” Chan said.

“So, while legally, we cannot be compelled, but we are also weighing the diplomatic implications of that,” he added. (PNA)