PASAY CITY, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa reportedly made a predawn exit from the Senate building at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2026. The move comes after a high-tension week where the senator sought refuge within the chamber to evade an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity.
The exit follows a chaotic Wednesday evening marked by a shooting incident inside the Senate premises between the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) and unidentified armed men, later perceived to be NBI agents.
According to Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and reports from the Senate secretariat, Dela Rosa’s departure was not a “legal escape” but a voluntary exit from protective custody.
- The Departure: Dela Rosa reportedly left the building alongside Senator Robinhood Padilla, his staunchest ally.
- The Reason: A text message from the senator’s wife, Nancy Dela Rosa, explained that he chose to leave to “spare the Senate” from further violence and disruption following the gunshots on Wednesday night.
- Legal Status: Cayetano clarified that because there is no standing local arrest warrant against Dela Rosa, the Senate had no legal basis to prevent him from leaving.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| May 11 | The ICC unseals a Nov. 2025 warrant for Dela Rosa. NBI agents attempt to arrest him at the Senate; he “wrestles” his way into the building. |
| May 12 | Senators vote to place Dela Rosa under protective custody. Senate President Sotto is ousted and replaced by Alan Peter Cayetano. |
| May 13 | 8:00 p.m. Gunshots erupt on the second floor. OSAA exchanges fire with armed men near the emergency exits. Senate goes into lockdown. |
| May 14 | 2:30 a.m. Dela Rosa and Padilla reportedly slip out of the building. By noon, Cayetano confirms the senator is no longer on the premises. |
The “secret” warrant, originally issued on November 6, 2025, identifies Dela Rosa as an “indirect co-perpetrator” in the crime against humanity of murder during the Duterte administration’s drug war (2016–2019).
- The NBI’s Stance: NBI Director Melvin Matibag maintains that the ICC warrant is from a “competent court” and must be respected, accusing the Senate of obstructing justice by providing sanctuary.
- Senate Security Breach: Senator Miguel Zubiri and others have called for an immediate probe into how armed men were able to enter and fire shots within the Senate, calling it a “breach of institutional security.”
As of Friday, May 15, 2026, Senator Dela Rosa’s exact location remains unknown. While his legal counsel, Atty. Israelito Torreon, initially denied “diversion tactic” rumors, Malacañang and Senate leadership have confirmed he is no longer in the building. He is considered “at large” by the NBI, though the Philippine government remains divided on whether to actively enforce the international warrant without a local counterpart.