Palace Investigates Reported Escape of Senator Bato dela Rosa Amid ICC Warrant

Malacañang has launched an investigation into the reported escape of Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa from the Senate compound. Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro confirmed that sources indicated the Senator was no longer on the premises as of 11:09 a.m., though official verification is pending. This development follows the National Bureau of Investigation's (NBI) issuance of an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa on May 11, 2026, after a six-month disappearance. The warrant stems from his alleged role as a co-perpetrator in crimes against humanity, specifically murder, during former President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war, under an International Criminal Court (ICC) mandate. Prior to his reported disappearance, Dela Rosa had been under protective custody within the Senate while exhausting legal remedies to prevent his arrest. Tensions escalated recently with reports of an arms race incident at the Senate during discussions on the NBI investigation. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Supreme Court are involved in the legal proceedings, with respondents ordered to submit comments on Dela Rosa's motions regarding his detention and the ICC warrant within 72 hours.