Malacañang is currently verifying reports that Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa, who has an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC), has left the Senate compound.
Official Confirmation Pending
'As of 11:09 a.m., several sources confirmed that Senator Bato is no longer in the Senate premises,' said Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro in a press briefing. 'But we are still getting official confirmation on the report.'
NBI Fails to Serve Warrant
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) attempted but failed to serve the arrest warrant against Dela Rosa upon his return on May 11, 2026, after six months of absence.
Senator Dela Rosa, identified as a 'co-perpetrator' alongside detained former President Rodrigo Duterte in the crime against humanity of murder during the drug war, has been placed under the Senate's protective custody until he exhausts all legal remedies to prevent his arrest.
Shots Fired at Senate
On Wednesday evening, May 13, several gunshots were heard at the Senate amid the alleged NBI attempt to arrest Dela Rosa. However, Castro stated that the head of the Senate Office of Sergeant-at-Arms (Osaa), retired Major General Ma. O Aplasca, was the first to fire.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag maintained that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered them to 'stand down' after the Supreme Court directed respondents to comment within 72 hours on Dela Rosa's motion seeking to stop his arrest, detention, and transfer in connection with the ICC warrant.
