Philippines vows to hand fugitive senator to ICC following shootout | Politics News
Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa Wanted for Alleged Role in Duterte’s Drug War
Published May 15, 2026
The Philippine government has pledged to comply with a request from the International Criminal Court (ICC) to detain Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a prominent politician and former national police chief. Dela Rosa evaded arrest earlier this week after fleeing the Senate building amid military efforts to apprehend him, a situation marked by reports of gunfire.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida confirmed on Friday that Manila received the ICC’s arrest warrant for dela Rosa, who is charged with crimes against humanity. Vida stated the government considers the warrant valid.
The ICC unsealed the warrant on Monday, citing dela Rosa’s key role in the controversial anti-drug campaign initiated by former President Rodrigo Duterte. This campaign, which spanned from 2016 to 2019, resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings.
“We will definitely submit to the request of the ICC,” Vida told reporters, noting that authorities are currently waiting for the Philippine Supreme Court to address dela Rosa’s petition challenging the warrant’s legality.
Incident at the Senate
In November, reports of the impending warrant led to dela Rosa’s withdrawal from public life. He reemerged on Monday to participate in a pivotal leadership vote that would have solidified power for a Duterte ally. Upon finding law enforcement agents waiting for him, dela Rosa sought refuge within the Senate building.
On Wednesday, the Senate experienced a chaotic scene as armed soldiers attempted to arrest him. Eyewitnesses reported hearing more than a dozen gunshots, though it remains unclear who discharged the weapons. By Thursday, Senate President confirmed that dela Rosa had vacated the building.
Vida warned that any attempts to assist dela Rosa in leaving the country would be regarded as a “mockery of justice.” He urged border officials to enforce the arrest warrant should the senator attempt to depart.
Background on Drug War Charges
Dela Rosa faces charges similar to those against Duterte, who has been in ICC custody in The Hague since March 2025. The ICC estimates that Duterte’s anti-drug initiative claimed between 12,000 and 30,000 lives.
Dela Rosa is identified as one of eight co-perpetrators in the case and is accused of serving as Duterte’s top enforcer. In a recent interview, he stated he would “exhaust all available remedies” to contest his transfer to the ICC.
