Civil society groups, human rights advocates, religious leaders, and families of drug war victims filed a complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman against Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, Sen. Robinhood Padilla, and suspended Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca over allegations they helped Sen. Ronald dela Rosa evade arrest on May 13.
The complainants from Tindig Pilipinas said the officials “knowingly and willfully” obstructed justice and enabled dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the drug war, to avoid apprehension.
They argued that the case concerns accountability and the protection of public institutions, not just individual conduct, and urged an impartial investigation by the Ombudsman.
The group also rejected claims that the ICC process undermines sovereignty, saying it is consistent with the rule of law and human rights commitments.
They stressed that public office must not be used as a shield against legal accountability or justice.
Source: PhilNews24 | June 4, 2026
