MANILA — Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa vowed Tuesday to fight all efforts to bring him before the International Criminal Court (ICC), as pressure mounts following confirmation of an arrest warrant tied to killings during the Duterte administration’s bloody anti-drug campaign.
The former Philippine National Police chief, who resurfaced publicly after months of absence from Senate sessions, said his camp is exhausting all legal remedies to prevent his possible arrest and transfer to The Hague.
“We will exhaust all available means, legal means kailangang gawin natin lahat para hindi nila tayo madala doon sa The Hague,” Dela Rosa said in an interview over DZBB AM radio. “Sino bang Pilipino na gustong litisin sa ibang bansa?”
Dela Rosa said he would continue attending Senate sessions while awaiting the Supreme Court’s action on petitions filed by his camp seeking protection from possible arrest.
“As usual, a-attend ako ng session and wait for the ruling of the Supreme Court sa mga petition na pinadala namin dun,” he added.
The senator disclosed that his legal team recently filed another manifestation before the Supreme Court seeking immediate judicial guidance and protection in connection with the ICC warrant.
He also said they are prepared to elevate any arrest order issued by a local court to the High Tribunal.
“I hope and pray (that a temporary restraining order will be issued by the SC and if there is an arrest warrant from a lower court) ang proseso naman ay hindi lang sa lower court nag-a-appeal, puwedeng umakyat sa taas kaya inunahan na namin sa SC. Hintayin natin ang desisyon ng SC,” he said.
Dela Rosa likewise addressed criticism over his prolonged absence from Senate sessions, claiming he did not personally receive his salary while in hiding.
“Nahihiya na ako sa taumbayan na naghahanap sa akin kahit na hindi ko kini-claim ang sweldo ko. I have to show up. Na-claim ng staff ko pero hindi ko nakuha. Sabi ko sa staff ko gamitin n’yo dyan sa kawang-gawa para umabot sa taumbayan ang pera na ‘yan,” he said.
Dela Rosa had been absent from Senate sessions since Nov. 11, 2025, after reports surfaced that the ICC had issued a warrant against him over alleged extrajudicial killings linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs during his tenure as PNP chief under former President Rodrigo Duterte.
He resurfaced Monday during the Senate session where 13 senators voted to oust Senate President Vicente Sotto III and install Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as the chamber’s new leader.
Reports later emerged that agents of the National Bureau of Investigation attempted to serve the ICC arrest warrant inside Senate premises as Dela Rosa was heading to the session hall.
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV later presented to the media what he claimed was a copy of the ICC arrest warrant against Dela Rosa.
The ICC subsequently confirmed issuing the warrant in connection with killings linked to the government’s anti-drug operations.
Following the incident, the Senate placed Dela Rosa under protective custody, while Cayetano declared that no arrest would be allowed inside Senate grounds./PN
