NewsTracker Answers for week of May 18, 2026

Q: After a hail of gunfire between opposing groups of law officers, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa fled the Philippines Senate last week to evade arrest for his role as the police boss in drug raids that killed thousands of Filipinos. Where is the island nation of the Philippines?

Circle the area on this map

Q: Dela Rosa is a co-defendant of former president Rodrigo Duterte on charges of crimes against humanity brought by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has detained Duterte since his arrest last year. Where is the ICC located?

A. Brussels, Belgium

B. Geneva, Switzerland

C. Nuremberg, Germany

D. The Hague, Netherlands

D. The ICC is one of 200 international courts and governmental organizations located in The Hague, the third-largest city in the Netherlands. The ICC is the first and only permanent international court with jurisdiction to prosecute individuals for crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes of aggression.

Q: The ICC only acts when national courts are unwilling or unable to prosecute cases involving any of the 125 countries that signed the Rome Statute establishing the ICC. What major world power does not recognize the authority of the court?

A. China

B. Russia

C. United States

D. All of the above

D. Along with India and many other nations, the governments of much of the world’s population do not accept the authority of the ICC or its arrest warrants.

Q: When the ICC began investigating then-President Duterte, he withdrew the Philippines from the Rome Statute. However, the ICC says it can still prosecute Duterte and dela Rosa for crimes committed while the country was still a party to the treaty. The ICC has also issued an arrest warrant for the leader of which nation that does not recognize the court?

A. China

B. India

C. Russia

D. United States

C. The ICC issued arrest warrants for President Vladimir Putin and five other Russian officials over the invasion and war with Ukraine. The ICC opened the case after 43 member nations requested an investigation of Russia’s actions. It is unlikely that Putin or the others will ever be arrested.

Q: While some U.S. officials initially applauded the ICC's investigation of Russia, which other country's ICC investigation triggered strong U.S. opposition?

A. Colombia

B. Israel

C. Philippines

D. Venezuela

B. In 2024, the ICC issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his defense minister, and three since-killed Hamas leaders over alleged crimes in the Gaza conflict. Last year, President Donald Trump ordered severe financial penalties and visa restrictions on ICC prosecutors and judges who investigate any U.S. allies or citizens.