Manila, Philippines – July 18, 2025
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has issued a bold challenge to the Marcos administration, urging it to arrest him and hand him over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) just as it did with former President Rodrigo Duterte, under whose leadership Dela Rosa served as the Philippine National Police (PNP) chief during the controversial war on drugs.
“If they want to repeat the same mistake, then go ahead,” Dela Rosa said during a phone interview on Thursday. “What they did to President Duterte was a serious misstep. If they’re willing to do it again, they’re welcome to try.”
Dela Rosa’s remarks came in response to comments made by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin in an interview with Japan’s Kyodo News. Bersamin said that Dela Rosa would receive “similar treatment” to Duterte if the ICC issues a warrant for his arrest.
Arrest of Duterte
Former President Duterte was taken into custody by the PNP on March 11 upon arrival from Hong Kong, based on a warrant from the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity tied to the bloody anti-drug campaign. He was detained at Villamor Air Base before being flown to The Hague the following day, where he remains in detention. His trial is expected to begin in September.
The ICC’s March 13 case document noted nine co-conspirators in Duterte’s case, though their names were redacted. According to the Palace, no further arrest warrants have been received at this time.
Dela Rosa Implicated
Dela Rosa, as architect of “Operation Double Barrel”—the framework for Duterte’s anti-drug crackdown—has long been seen as a potential target of the ICC investigation. The campaign involved “Project Tokhang” (house visits to suspected drug users and dealers) and “Project HVT” targeting high-level figures in the drug trade. Both programs have been criticized for widespread extrajudicial killings.
ICC assistant Kristina Conti previously said Dela Rosa and former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde could be next to face charges.
When asked if he was preparing for possible arrest, Dela Rosa declined to elaborate.
Palace ‘Diversion’ Alleged
The senator also accused Malacañang of using the ICC issue as a smokescreen to distract from controversies surrounding First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. He referred to reports alleging the First Lady was with businessman Juan Paolo “Paowee” Tantoco when he died in Los Angeles in March from suspected cocaine use—claims the Palace has denounced as “fake news.”
“This is how they operate—whenever there’s a sensitive issue involving them, they bring up other matters to divert public attention,” Dela Rosa claimed.
Boycotting the SONA
In protest, Dela Rosa announced he would boycott President Marcos’ State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28. He said it would be disingenuous for him to attend and appear supportive while feeling betrayed by the administration.
“It wouldn’t make sense for me to go there frowning. But it would be just as wrong to smile when I’m disappointed inside,” he said. “I don’t want to pretend.”
He added that his decision is personal and does not reflect the stance of the pro-Duterte Senate bloc known as the “Duterte7.”
Support for Escudero
Despite political tensions, the Duterte7 bloc—which includes Senators Christopher “Bong” Go, Robin Padilla, Imee Marcos, Rodante Marcoleta, Mark Villar, and Camille Villar—has pledged support for the continued Senate leadership of Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero.
Dela Rosa emphasized the group’s unity behind Escudero, stating, “So far, it’s settled in principle—we are backing Senator Chiz Escudero as Senate President.”
Meanwhile, the so-called veterans bloc, composed of Senators Vicente Sotto III, Migz Zubiri, Loren Legarda, Ping Lacson, and Lito Lapid, is lobbying for Sotto’s return to the Senate presidency.
