Survey shows rising demand for justice as ICC considers arrest of Sen. Bato dela Rosa and review of Duterte’s health report

The International Criminal Court (ICC) may order the arrest of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa if the prosecution requests it while awaiting the results of the medical examination of former President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte, according to ICC-accredited Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti.

Conti explained that the prosecution could proceed independently of any warrant of arrest against Dela Rosa or others, noting that the ICC is currently consulting medical experts to determine whether Duterte is fit to stand trial. The tribunal has already received the results of Duterte’s medical evaluation, including findings from a psychiatrist.

Dela Rosa, who served as Philippine National Police chief during Duterte’s administration, led the bloody war on drugs that claimed thousands of lives. According to Conti, Dela Rosa’s name is repeatedly mentioned in the crimes against humanity case filed against Duterte before the ICC.

“The prosecution has already built up a case against Bato Dela Rosa at the least. Bato’s name even appears in the documents containing the charges,” Conti said.

She acknowledged, however, that arresting Dela Rosa would not be easy, as he is an incumbent senator and law enforcement officials from the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), and other agencies might hesitate to carry out the arrest.

Meanwhile, half of Filipinos aged 18 and above believe that former President Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable for the killings committed under his administration’s war on drugs.

This was based on a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey commissioned by the Stratbase Group conducted from September 24–30, 2025, involving 1,500 respondents.

The survey asked: “How much do you agree or disagree that former President Rodrigo Duterte should be held accountable by the International Criminal Court for killings related to the illegal drug campaign during his administration?”

Results showed that 50% agreed Duterte should be held accountable, 15% were undecided, and 32% disagreed.

Stratbase Group President Dindo Manhit said the findings reflect the growing public sentiment that accountability must prevail, even for those in power.

“The data clearly show that Filipinos believe justice and rule of law are essential foundations of our democracy… people understand that no one, not even a former president, should be above the law,” Manhit said.

Regionally, the highest number of respondents favoring Duterte’s accountability came from the Visayas (54%), followed by Metro Manila (53%), and the rest of Luzon (52%).

In Duterte’s stronghold of Mindanao, only 39% agreed he should be held accountable, while 48% disagreed.

More respondents from rural areas (52%) than from urban areas (47%) said Duterte should be made accountable. By age group, the highest agreement came from older adults aged 55 and above (62%), followed by those aged 45–54 (52%).

Among millennials aged 35–44, 45% said he should be held accountable, and 43% of Gen Z respondents aged 18–24 agreed.

According to Manhit, this shows that many Filipinos continue to hope that justice can still prevail—and that accountability should begin within the country before being pursued abroad.