MANILA, Philippines – Tension continues to build around Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as he faces possible arrest over his alleged role in former president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.
Dela Rosa has remained inside the Senate compound since Monday after the chamber’s new leadership granted him protective custody amid reports that authorities may attempt to serve the arrest warrant against the senator.
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano earlier said the chamber would only recognize warrants issued by Philippine courts, while Malacañang has maintained that the executive branch would not interfere in Senate decisions.
The looming arrest has sparked protests, political tensions, and renewed debate over the Philippines’ obligations to the ICC. Five senators have filed a resolution urging Dela Rosa to surrender to proper authorities while human rights groups and progressive organizations have called for his arrest and surrender to The Hague.
Bookmark this page to stay updated with the latest news and features related to Dela Rosa’s possible arrest.
WATCH: Senate Acting Sgt at Arms Mao Aplasca goes out of the Senate building amid reports of a possible arrest of Sen. Bato dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa earlier said in his Facebook livestream that he would be arrested after the session at the Senate. | @MJSalcedoINQ
Follow our live… pic.twitter.com/yPu4pmFHrz
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 13, 2026
Upon suspension of the plenary session at the Senate on Wednesday some senators including Sen. Bato Dela Rosa were seen exiting through the back of the session hall. | @keithcINQ
Watch the live stream here: https://t.co/5dQI46b5If pic.twitter.com/m4pccgeJWi
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 13, 2026
WATCH: More police officers have been deployed outside the Senate building following reports of a possible arrest of Sen. Bato dela Rosa in light of the ICC warrant. | @MJSalcedoINQ pic.twitter.com/xCshxgHiBy
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 13, 2026
WATCH: A police vehicle was seen entering the Senate building this Wednesday afternoon. | @MJSalcedoINQ pic.twitter.com/YN9hB1ZoIu
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 13, 2026
WATCH: Sen. Bato dela Rosa was seen exiting the session hall after the plenary resumed. He boarded the elevator with his legal counsel and refused to take questions. | @keithcINQ
Watch the live stream here: https://t.co/5dQI46b5If pic.twitter.com/wlD3GY0QKL
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 13, 2026
BATO ON ICC WEBSITE
LOOK: The International Criminal Court (ICC) has listed Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as a “defendant at large” on its website following the issuance of an arrest warrant against him, which was confirmed on Monday. |
: ICC
READ MORE:… pic.twitter.com/ZqAWxNlEmU
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 13, 2026
‘SANA TULUNGAN NIYO AKO’
LOOK: In a Facebook livestream following their plenary session, Sen. Bato dela Rosa appealed to his supporters to hold a prayer vigil outside the Senate amid reports that operatives from the NBI and CIDG were on their way to enforce the ICC arrest… pic.twitter.com/hWvQluCrOk
— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) May 13, 2026
From defiance to defense: ICC unseals arrest warrant vs Bato dela Rosa
How Bato dela Rosa’s ICC remarks shifted over the years
Bato dela Rosa may be surrendered to ICC under PH law – DOJ
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