MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who the International Criminal Court is seeking over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign, has left the Senate compound following a chaotic security incident that sparked political controversy and a government investigation.
Officials confirmed Thursday that dela Rosa managed to exit the heavily guarded Senate premises late Wednesday night after gunshots were fired during a confrontation involving Senate security personnel and a government agent. Authorities are investigating whether the disturbance was intentionally triggered to provide cover for the senator’s departure.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. addressed the nation in a late-night televised statement, calling for calm while assuring the public that a full investigation was underway.
“There is no obstruction of justice,” Senate President Alan Cayetano said during a press briefing, adding that he had not personally seen an ICC arrest warrant against dela Rosa and that the senator was free to leave the Senate grounds.
Critics, however, questioned the Senate leadership’s handling of the incident and called for accountability over dela Rosa’s departure while under Senate protective custody.
Dela Rosa, 64, served as chief of the Philippine National Police under former President Rodrigo Duterte from 2016 to 2018, during the height of the administration’s controversial anti-drug campaign.
The International Criminal Court unsealed a warrant this week accusing dela Rosa of crimes against humanity, specifically murder, in connection with at least 32 killings allegedly carried out during anti-drug operations between July 2016 and April 2018.
The ICC case forms part of a broader investigation into Duterte’s war on drugs, which human rights groups estimate resulted in thousands of deaths. Duterte was arrested in March 2025 under a separate ICC warrant and is currently facing proceedings in The Hague.
Both Duterte and dela Rosa have repeatedly denied authorizing extrajudicial killings, although Duterte publicly threatened suspected drug offenders during his presidency.
The latest developments unfolded amid intensifying political tensions between the Marcos and Duterte camps. Vice President Sara Duterte, daughter of the former president, accused the Marcos administration of orchestrating what she described as the “kidnapping” of her father and surrendering him to a foreign tribunal.
Political tensions escalated further after the House of Representatives, dominated by Marcos allies, voted earlier this week to impeach Sara Duterte over allegations that include unexplained wealth, misuse of public funds, and threats against the president, the first lady, and the House speaker. The vice president has denied wrongdoing.
Cayetano said the Senate could convene as an impeachment court as early as Monday to begin preparations for the vice president’s trial.
Cayetano assumed Senate leadership this week after securing the support of 13 senators. His rise to the post coincided with dela Rosa’s sudden appearance at the Senate after months of avoiding public events due to fears of arrest.
According to officials, agents from the National Bureau of Investigation attempted to serve the ICC warrant earlier this week, but dela Rosa allegedly rushed toward a narrow stairway leading to the Senate plenary hall and sought protection from allied senators, who later placed him under Senate custody.
Authorities have yet to confirm dela Rosa’s whereabouts as the investigation continues.
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