MANILA, Philippines — Senator Robin Padilla on Saturday, May 9, 2026, advised fellow lawmaker Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to remain out of the public eye. The caution comes as unconfirmed reports circulate that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has finally released an arrest warrant against the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and transmitted it to Interpol.
Dela Rosa, the chief architect of the Duterte administration’s “War on Drugs,” has been a central figure in the ICC’s investigation into alleged crimes against humanity.
The Advice: “Huwag Kang Lilitaw”
During a radio interview with DWIZ, Padilla—a staunch ally of the Duterte family—reiterated his long-standing counsel to the embattled senator.
- Avoid Public Exposure: “Until I actually see a warrant, I always remind my idol… ‘Don’t show yourself in public,'” Padilla said.
- Foreign vs. Local Law: Padilla drew a sharp distinction between local and international authority. He stated that if Philippine law enforcers were seeking Dela Rosa, he would assist in the surrender. However, he remains defiant against foreign intervention: “Never surrender to a foreign power.”
- Communication Silence: Padilla noted that he has not been in direct contact with Dela Rosa recently, speculating that the former general is being “careful” with his communications.
The weekend saw a surge in rumors regarding the warrant, though official confirmation remains elusive.
| Source/Official | Position/Statement |
| Jonvic Remulla | DILG Secretary: Maintained he has not received any formal arrest order or Interpol red notice. |
| DILG Task Force | Reported to have a 10,000-man team ready to assist if an official order is served, though they currently describe the situation as “theoretical.” |
| International Criminal Court | The Hague has not publicly released a statement confirming an active warrant for Dela Rosa as of May 9. |
The “Bato” warrant rumors come during a period of intense legal pressure for the Duterte-aligned political bloc:
- Rodrigo Duterte’s Status: The former president is currently detained and awaiting trial at The Hague following his arrest in March 2025.
- Impeachment Vote: The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, May 11.
- The “Death Squad” Testimony: The ICC’s case was bolstered by late-2024 testimonies where Duterte allegedly referred to his PNP chiefs as “death squad” commanders.
As of Saturday evening, Senator Dela Rosa’s whereabouts remain unknown to the general public, having been noticeably absent from recent high-profile Senate proceedings.