MANILA — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said no hold departure order (HDO) has been issued against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who remains under an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order (ILBO) while facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval told Super Radyo dzBB that the agency has not received any order upgrading the status beyond the lookout bulletin.

“Naka-lookout bulletin po siya. Wala pang other kinds of order na natatanggap ang ating ahensiya,” Sandoval said.

She explained that an HDO is issued by the Department of Justice upon order of a court, while a precautionary hold departure order may be issued in cases still at initial stages.

“Kapag umaandar na ang kaso, sinabi ng korte na there is flight risk, maaaring mag-issue ang court ng hold departure order dahil kailangan niyang harapin whatever the case is,” she said.

“Mayroon ding precautionary hold departure order. Nasa initial stages pa lang ang kaso, but the court deems it important that may posibilidad na umalis ang tao para iwasan ang kasong paparating,” she added.

Both orders, she said, effectively restrict a person from leaving the country unless allowed by the court.

Sandoval also clarified that the BI only monitors international ports of entry and exit, including airports and seaports, while bay areas are under the jurisdiction of local government units, the Philippine Coast Guard, and police.

Meanwhile, an Immigration Lookout Bulletin Order is being used to monitor Dela Rosa’s movements and alert authorities if necessary.

“Once encountered, ang Immigration officer is mandated to contact the relevant government agencies na related du’n sa kaso to confirm kung mayroong issued na warrant of arrest, hold departure order,” she said.

“In early May, acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said an ILBO has been issued against dela Rosa and ordered authorities to arrest the senator if he tries to leave the country.”

The ICC has issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa for alleged crimes against humanity tied to killings from July 2016 to April 2018, during the administration of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

The senator’s camp has said it recognizes the existence of the ICC warrant but maintains it is not enforceable in the Philippines.

Authorities said Dela Rosa remains in the country, with no recent record of international travel.