Bato Dela Rosa speaks about the ICC arrest warrant.
Senator Bato Dela Rosa spoke to his supporters via video call following the ICC’s confirmation of his arrest.
In a previous article, the International Criminal Court (ICC) confirmed the arrest warrant against Senator Bato Dela Rosa. It was originally issued in November 2025 and was confirmed just recently.
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV presented to reporters what he said was the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Bato, saying, “Nandito ako dahil sinabi niya on national TV na samahan ko raw ang mag-aaresto sa kanya. So nandito ako ngayon.”
Dela Rosa is among those named as alleged co-perpetrators in the crimes against humanity complaint lodged before the International Criminal Court against former President Rodrigo Duterte. Serving as Duterte’s chief of the Philippine National Police from 2016 to 2018, Dela Rosa became one of the central figures behind the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
Following the confirmation from the ICC, the former police chief asked the public to include him in their prayers. In a video call with his supporters, he expressed relief after authorities were not able to arrest him after the chase.
He quipped, “Nalusutan pa rin natin sila dahil nandyan si Lord.”
He attended the plenary session on Monday, marking his first public appearance since reportedly going into hiding on November 11. As of writing, the senator remains within the Senate premises, effectively placing him under Senate protective custody following the arrest warrant issued by the ICC.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag acknowledged the Senate’s protective custody. While Dela Rosa will not be arrested for the time being, he is expected to respond to the ongoing investigations.
The NBI will coordinate with the ICC and Interpol following the decision.
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