MANILA— Lawyers of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa have renewed their plea for the Supreme Court (SC) to block his arrest and possible surrender to the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing a P50-million bounty and government statements that they said put his life at risk.

In a 15-page manifestation dated Oct. 27, Dela Rosa’s camp asked the high tribunal to urgently resolve his pending motion for reconsideration of its May ruling denying his request for interim relief. It also sought a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the enforcement of the ICC arrest warrant.

The senator faces crimes against humanity charges before the ICC over alleged killings linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, when he served as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Dela Rosa’s lawyers argued that the government’s actions, including the announcement of a P50-million reward for his arrest and his designation as “armed and dangerous,” threaten his constitutional rights.

“No court has found Petitioner Dela Rosa to be armed and dangerous. In law enforcement practice, the designation signals to operating units that armed resistance should be anticipated, which is precisely the setting in which lethal force is most likely to be used,” they told the Supreme Court.

“Coupled with a bounty and a declaration abandoning restraint, the designation places Petitioner Dela Rosa’s right to life under Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution in present and serious danger,” they added.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the bounty last week. He also said Dela Rosa was being guarded by an armed group somewhere in Mindanao and warned that an operation to arrest the senator could result in about 10,000 deaths.

The PNP has also opened hotlines to receive information that could lead to Dela Rosa’s immediate arrest.

In May, the Supreme Court denied the senator’s request for a TRO and other interim relief. The court clarified, however, that its ruling covered only the requested interim measures and did not resolve the main issues raised in his petition.

Dela Rosa’s camp filed its motion for reconsideration in June, which remains pending before the high tribunal.