Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Tuesday appealed to President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to protect Filipinos from being brought before foreign courts.
This as he faced mounting legal pressure over an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant tied to alleged extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration’s drug war.
“Sir, BBM… Ako ngayon ay umaapela sa’yo, alagaan mo ang bawat Filipino na di madala sa ibang bansa… na protektahan ang bawat Filipino,” Dela Rosa said.
Dela Rosa said he would exhaust all legal remedies to block any attempt to transfer him abroad, insisting that Philippine courts must first resolve pending motions questioning the ICC warrant.
He said his camp has filed a manifestation before the Supreme Court seeking judicial protection and clarification on the warrant’s legal effect, adding that they are prepared to elevate any lower court action.
“As usual, a-attend ako ng session and wait for the ruling of the Supreme Court sa mga petition na pinadala namin dun,” he said.
Dela Rosa, however, acknowledged that he will now rely on legal processes rather than direct confrontation, a shift from his earlier statements on the issue.
In a press conference on May 7, 2024, when asked about the possibility of being arrested by the ICC, he had previously said: “Go ahead, make my day, Mr. Trillanes! Sige kang ngalngal [nang] ngalngal diyan ng ICC. Sige – go ahead. Kahit sumama ka pa mag-serve ng warrant, ikaw mismo mag-posas sa akin.”
But on Monday, May 11, 2026, after returning to the Senate following a six-month absence, Dela Rosa moved to assert institutional protection as tensions rose inside the chamber.
“As of now Antonio Trillanes and some NBI operatives are still at the library. May I move that the Sergeant-at-Arms remove these people from the vicinity of the Senate,” he said.
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV later said he attempted to personally serve the ICC warrant inside the Senate, recalling Dela Rosa’s earlier challenge.
“Sabi nya make my day eh. Make his day, eh. Samahan ko raw siya, eh di nandito ako ngayon. Personal request na samahan ko raw pag aarestuhin sya,” Trillanes said.
The Senate has since placed Dela Rosa under protective custody after reports that National Bureau of Investigation personnel attempted to serve the ICC warrant within the premises earlier this week.
He has been absent from Senate sessions since November 2025 amid reports of an ICC arrest warrant linked to the previous administration’s anti-drug operations under former president Rodrigo Duterte.
The ICC has confirmed issuing a warrant of arrest against Dela Rosa, who served as Philippine National Police chief during the drug war campaign.
Dela Rosa has previously said he is willing to join former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is currently detained in The Hague.
Photo courtesy of Senator Ronald dela Rosa / FB
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