Philippines: Authorities must arrest former police chief amid alarming obstruction of justice

Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa has fled the Philippines Senate building, according to reports, allowing him to evade an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Dela Rosa, a former police chief, reportedly left the building at 2:30 am local time on Thursday, May 14, 2026, and his current whereabouts are unknown.

The escape follows a three-day standoff between law enforcement and the sitting senator. During the events leading up to his departure, gunshots were fired inside the Senate premises on May 13, 2026, while members of the media and other senators were still inside the building. Reports regarding the cause of the shooting remain conflicting.

Various senior administration representatives, including President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., have denied that there were any attempts to execute an arrest warrant at the Senate.

ICC Warrant and Allegations

On May 11, 2026, the ICC confirmed it had issued an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa. The ICC’s Pre-Trial Chamber stated there were “reasonable grounds to believe” that the senator committed the crime against humanity of murder.

The warrant specifically cites incidents occurring between 2016 and 2018, during which 32 people were killed. Dela Rosa previously held a key role in the “war on drugs” conducted under the administration of former President Duterte.

Amnesty International Response

Ritz Lee Santos III, the Executive Director of Amnesty International Philippines, expressed deep alarm regarding the events at the Senate, characterizing the situation as an obstruction of justice.

“We are deeply alarmed at the obstruction of justice and chaotic scenes witnessed at the Philippines Senate. Ronald dela Rosa’s position as Senator offers him no special protection from an ICC arrest warrant, neither under domestic nor international law. It is hugely concerning that fellow Senators and others appear to have assisted him in evading arrest and in delaying the execution of the arrest warrant – effectively facilitating his escape for now.”

Ritz Lee Santos III, Executive Director of Amnesty International Philippines

Santos III asserted that President Marcos and relevant government agencies bear ultimate responsibility for ensuring Dela Rosa is arrested, despite any efforts by the administration to distance themselves from the incident.

“Dela Rosa held a key role in the ‘war on drugs’ under former President Duterte, is a clear flight risk and appears intent on avoiding accountability. He should be promptly located, arrested and surrendered to the ICC to answer allegations of crimes against humanity. The place for Dela Rosa to challenge his case and the crimes against humanity he is alleged to have committed is in The Hague, in impartial and independent trial proceedings. Political authority must not place anyone above the law. In the interest of justice for victims, survivors and their families, those alleged to have committed grave crimes must be held to account, no matter how long it takes.”

Ritz Lee Santos III, Executive Director of Amnesty International Philippines

The ICC warrants are intended to be executed to bring individuals to trial in The Hague, where the court handles cases of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.