This Filipino Senator Wanted By The ICC Has Become A Fugitive After He Hid In The Senate To Escape His Arrest
Cayetano said there was nothing wrong with dela Rosa leaving and denied claims the shooting was staged to avoid his arrest.
Philippine senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity, has gone into hiding after causing chaos in the Senate to escape his arrest.
Dela Rosa was the top person helping former President Rodrigo Duterte, who ruled the country between 2016 and 2022, run a brutal “war on drugs,” in which police killed thousands of people alleged to be drug suspects without proper process in extrajudicial killings.
Police statistics say more than 6,000 people were killed, but human rights groups in the country estimate the number could be as high as 30,000.
In March 2025, the ICC arrested Duterte for crimes against humanity and flew him to the Hague.
In November 2025, the ICC also issued an arrest warrant for dela Rosa, which it did not unveil until May 11.
After being out of the public eye for months, dela Rosa showed up to the Senate on the same day to cast a deciding vote for Alan Peter Cayetano, a Duterte ally, to become Senate president.
When dela Rosa arrived at the Senate, he found government agents waiting to serve his arrest warrant.
He was seen running and finding refuge in the Senate's main chamber.
The Senate then placed him under "protective custody."
Two days later, on May 13, the Senate fell into a frenzy when dela Rosa realized agents were at the building to arrest him.
He then went live on social media, sang the Philippine military’s hymn and called on his supporters to help him.
Later that night, gunshots were heard and security teams and government agents ran in the building, eventually firing 32 shots.
The shooting lasted about three minutes and was broadcast live on national television.
No casualties were reported, but witnesses called the violence a “national disgrace.”
Dela Rosa then vanished from the Senate the next morning.
Officials confirmed he left the building with another Senator.
Cayetano said there was nothing wrong with dela Rosa leaving and denied claims the shooting was staged to avoid his arrest.
Dela Rosa is currently a fugitive.
Isha Jain
