MALACAÑANG urged Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, to surrender to authorities in relation to an arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
In a press conference Wednesday, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro made the call to avoid bloodshed.
"Sumuko ka na. Sumuko ka na kasi para wala nang dugong dadanak," she said.
(Surrender now. Surrender now so that no more blood will be shed.)
"Doon sa mga nagkakanlong, alam po natin na dapat natin pairalin ang batas. So huwag kayong magsilbi na kasangkapan ng mga taong dapat nadidinig din o mga taong dapat napapanagot sa batas. Huwag po kayong magsilbing tulay para makaalpas ang mga masasabi nating taong may dapat na kaharapin sa mga taong kanilang diumanong nabiktima,” Castro added.
(To those providing refuge, we know that we must uphold the law. Do not serve as instruments for people who must also be heard or held accountable under the law. Do not serve as a bridge for people who must face those they allegedly victimized to evade accountability.)
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said that arresting dela Rosa may result in an armed confrontation that could cost hundreds of lives, considering that he is being protected by a powerful group with many armed men.
Remulla said negotiations with the wealthy group were ongoing for dela Rosa’s turnover.
Dela Rosa was identified as a co-perpetrator of detained former president Rodrigo Duterte in the alleged crime against humanity of murder in the country during the implementation of the drug war.
He was alleged to have committed the crime against humanity of murder between July 3, 2016, and the end of April 2018, when alleged criminals, particularly those perceived or alleged to be associated with drug use, sale or production, were executed.
The chamber cited dela Rosa’s positions in the national police, particularly as chief of the Davao regional police office, head of the PNP Intelligence Group, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), and director general of the Bureau of Corrections. /TPM