The Senate of the Philippines placed Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa under its protective custody on Monday after National Bureau of Investigation agents attempted to serve an arrest warrant allegedly issued by the International Criminal Court in connection with crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
The Senate intervened after NBI personnel and former senator Antonio Trillanes IV appeared at the chamber, with lawmakers voting to shield Dela Rosa and place the premises under lockdown.
Dela Rosa, who has been linked as a co-perpetrator in the ICC case against former president Rodrigo Duterte, resurfaced in the Senate to participate in leadership voting after months in hiding.
The NBI and Philippine police also served subpoenas requiring him to attend a separate investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings in Davao, but he was not found at his known addresses.
The Senate later cited NBI agents in contempt, while officials warned Dela Rosa could face legal consequences for failing to comply with official summons.
Source: PhilNews24 | May 12, 2026
