By Francessca S. Abalos
THE Senate minority on Sunday expressed support for Senator Ronald M. dela Rosa and called on the government to pursue dialogue with his counsel after Philippine authorities set a one-week deadline for his surrender and a P50-million bounty.
The Department of Interior and Local Government on Friday raised a P50-million bounty for information on Mr. dela Rosa’s whereabouts, whom Interior Secretary Juanito Victor C. Remulla, Jr. described as “armed and dangerous.” He also said the senator was under the protection of a group in Mindanao.
In a statement, the bloc appealed for restraint from all involved parties, saying it shared Mr. Remulla and chief of the Philippine National Police Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr.’s “desire to bring the matter to a lawful conclusion.”
Mr. dela Rosa faces arrest under a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his alleged crimes against humanity during former President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s war on drugs.
“The Senate minority stands with Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa in defending his right to due process and supporting his call to answer the accusations against him before Philippine courts,” the bloc said. “We believe a peaceful resolution that respects our laws and protects lives remains possible.”
They disputed the Philippine government for allowing the ICC to issue Mr. dela Rosa a warrant of arrest, arguing that the senator, who has been in hiding since May, is open to speak on accusations in Philippine courts.
Citing the Philippines’ withdrawal from the Rome Statute in 2019, the bloc said Manila must examine domestic laws, international obligations and required procedures before surrendering an individual to the ICC.
They reiterated that President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on Feb. 23, 2023 said Manila would not cooperate with the ICC’s investigation into Mr. Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs because it no longer has jurisdiction in the country.
“We respectfully ask that the protection of Philippine sovereignty and the rights of our citizens remain central to the government’s decisions,” the bloc said.
The minority also said it is willing to facilitate discussions between the administration and Mr. dela Rosa’s counsel, noting they are confident that Philippine institutions can uphold the law and pursue justice without bloodshed or violating any rights.
Mr. dela Rosa went into hiding in late-2025 after reports about the ICC warrant but appeared briefly at the Senate on May 11 to vote for Senator Alan Peter S. Cayetano as Senate president. He then fled the Senate following a shooting incident inside the building on May 14.
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson in a statement affirmed that due process is a fundamental right guaranteed to every human being, including Mr. dela Rosa.
“I sincerely hope and pray that should his arrest take place sooner or later, it will be carried out peacefully, without violence or tragedy,” Mr. Lacson said in an X post.
Mr. dela Rosa’s office did not immediately reply to Viber messages for comment. Mr. dela Rosa’s camp, through his legal counsel Israelito P. Torreon, on Friday said they have no comment about the bounty.