MANILA, Philippines — Families of victims from the previous administration’s “war on drugs” issued a plea to the Senate on Monday, May 11, 2026, urging the chamber not to block the potential arrest and surrender of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The appeal followed a series of dramatic events in the Senate, where the former police chief was placed under protective custody immediately after appearing in public for the first time in six months.
Rise Up for Life and for Rights (Rise Up), a network representing the kin of extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims, released a statement following the Senate’s decision to shield the senator.
- International Obligations: Rubylin G. Litao, coordinator for Rise Up, emphasized that the Senate should respect the Philippine government’s international obligations. “Do not protect Duterte’s co-perpetrator in the commission of crimes against humanity,” she stated.
- A Mother’s Plea: Llore Pasco, who lost two sons during the drug war, asserted that Dela Rosa deserves to be held accountable for his major role in executing the campaign. “Like Duterte, Bato deserves to be jailed,” she remarked.
The victims’ appeal coincides with the public unsealing of an ICC arrest warrant for the senator.
- Public Confirmation: While rumors had circulated for days, the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I publicly confirmed on Monday that an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa had been issued on November 6, 2025.
- Disclosure: The 16-page warrant was initially confidential but was made public after former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV presented a copy to the media and Philippine authorities circulated the document.
- Role in Crimes: The warrant cites Dela Rosa as a “co-perpetrator” in crimes against humanity committed during his tenure as Davao City police chief and later as Chief of the Philippine National Police.
Despite the victims’ protests, the Senate plenary approved a motion by Senator Rodante Marcoleta to place Dela Rosa under protective custody.
- Duration: The custody is intended to last until the senator exhausts all legal remedies to protect himself and until the institution can “do just the same.”
- Bato’s Appearance: Dela Rosa surfaced at the Senate just in time to cast a deciding vote in the leadership coup that installed Alan Peter Cayetano as the new Senate President.
- Security Altercation: The day was further marked by reports of a brief altercation between the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Senate security forces as Dela Rosa entered the building, leading to a temporary lockdown of the premises.
Human rights groups argue that the Senate’s move undermines the rule of law. They contend that by shielding a member from an international warrant, the chamber is fostering a culture of impunity. Advocates point out that former President Rodrigo Duterte is already in ICC custody in The Hague, and they believe his top lieutenants should face the same judicial process.