The Supreme Court did not issue on Wednesday a temporary restraining order (TRO) that was sought by Senator Ronald Dela Rosa to prevent his arrest, detention, or transfer to The Hague based on the warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Following is special session, "the SC issued a Resolution requiring respondents to comment on the Urgent Manifestation with Omnibus Motion (Urgent Manifestation) and Extremely Urgent Supplemental Manifestation with Motion (Supplemental Manifestation) filed by petitioner Senator Ronald “Bato” M. Dela Rosa within a non-extendible period of 72 hours from receipt," the highest court said it is press briefer.

"Senator Dela Rosa was likewise directed to file his Reply within a non-extendible period of 72 hours from receipt of the respondents’ Comment," it added.

The Supreme Court also "held that this is without prejudice to the Court taking any interim or urgent measures as prayed for by Senator Dela Rosa, should it become necessary."

In response to reports that the ICC had issued a warrant of arrest in connection with the drug war investigations, Dela Rosa filed the Urgent Manifestation on Monday. He sought a temporary restraining order (TRO), a writ of preliminary injunction, or a status quo ante order (SQAO) to prevent his arrest, detention, or transfer without prior judicial authorization.

According to the Supreme Court, Dela Rosa also "questioned the validity of a subpoena issued by the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group directing him to appear at Camp Crame regarding alleged extrajudicial killings during his time as Davao City Police Director."

"On the same day, Senator Dela Rosa filed the Supplemental Manifestation alleging that National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) operatives attempted to block his entry into the Senate Session Hall and that former Senator Antonio F. Trillanes IV (Trillanes) presented what he claimed to be a copy of an ICC arrest warrant against him," it stated.

"Senator Dela Rosa prayed for a TRO and/or SQAO prohibiting the NBI and Trillanes from arresting or detaining him or serving any ICC warrant or other foreign document," the SC added.

As of Wednesday afternoon, Dela Rosa remains in the protective custody of the Senate of the Philippines which was granted by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, the newly elected Senate President. Robina Asido/PHS