Senator Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa has appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not to send him to The Hague in response to an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.
During a Senate appearance on May 12, Dela Rosa expressed his concerns, stating, "Huwag niya akong ipadala sa The Hague" (I appeal to him not to send me to The Hague). He highlighted the uncertainty of the future, suggesting that the President might face similar challenges.
Dela Rosa, former chief of the Philippine National Police, is under scrutiny for his role in the controversial drug war initiated during former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration. The ICC has issued a warrant, citing substantial grounds for suspected crimes against humanity.
The warrant was publicized by the ICC on May 11, 2026, by the same panel that ordered Duterte's arrest the previous year.
"Very low – the lowest point of my life," Dela Rosa remarked about his current predicament. He previously claimed he was unafraid of the ICC warrant.
Dela Rosa had been absent from Senate sessions until recently, following Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla's statement confirming the ICC's warrant against him. His return coincided with efforts to support the election of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as the new Senate president.
Cayetano's leadership is significant for Dela Rosa, as he has promised not to permit Dela Rosa's arrest on Senate grounds, referencing historical precedents.
Despite the political maneuvering, Dela Rosa remains uncertain about his future, stating, "I have no plans... God’s plan is superior to everyone’s plan."