Department of Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida announced that law enforcement agencies have been directed to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa following the Supreme Court’s denial of his request for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the enforcement of the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.

In a press conference, Vida said Dela Rosa is now considered a fugitive from justice and should be brought before the ICC to face the charges filed against him. He added that authorities have been ordered to enforce what he described as a valid and enforceable warrant.

The development came after the Supreme Court voted 9-5-1 to deny Dela Rosa’s plea for a TRO and status quo ante order seeking to block his possible arrest based on the ICC warrant. The High Court clarified that it only ruled on the request for interim relief, while the main issues in the case remain pending.