CCTV footage captured a dramatic scene inside the Philippine Senate as Ronald dela Rosa, a former police chief and longtime ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, fled government agents. The footage shows dela Rosa racing through the hallways of the upper house complex and stumbling on a staircase during the pursuit.
Following the incident, dela Rosa appeared on a Facebook livestream to plead for public support. “They want to forcibly bring me to The Hague, to surrender me there,” he stated during the broadcast.
ICC Warrant and Allegations
The pursuit follows the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) confirmation on Monday night that an arrest warrant had been issued for dela Rosa. The warrant had been held confidentially since November.
Dela Rosa is named as a co-perpetrator in a case accusing former President Rodrigo Duterte of crimes against humanity. The charges stem from anti-drug crackdowns that resulted in the deaths of thousands of people.
Senate Standoff and Protective Custody
By Monday evening, the Senate compound was surrounded by riot police and barbed wire. The national union of journalists in the Philippines reported that media workers were blocked from entering or leaving the complex and called for calm.
Dela Rosa spent the night at the Senate office after the newly elected Senate President, Alan Peter Cayetano, offered him protective custody. Cayetano, another ally of the Dutertes, stated that the Senate would only allow an arrest “under the condition that it is a Philippine court.”
A Broader Power Struggle
The turmoil coincides with a lower house vote to impeach Vice President Sara Duterte, the daughter of the former president. This event marks a new chapter in a bitter feud between Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
While the two leaders ran on a joint campaign in the 2022 election, their relationship soured. This conflict intensified last year when Rodrigo Duterte was arrested in Manila and transported to the ICC in The Hague.
Impeachment Stakes
The complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte include amassing unexplained wealth, misusing public funds, and threatening the lives of the president and first lady. These charges will be passed to the Senate for trial.
If found guilty, she could be banned from public office, which would derail her plans to run for president in 2028. To be acquitted, she will need the support of only nine senators.
Jean Encinas-Franco, a political science professor at the University of the Philippines Diliman, noted that if the Dutertes hold the majority in the Senate, they could potentially control which witnesses are included or which pieces of evidence appear during the trial.
Calls for Accountability
Families of those killed during the drug crackdowns have demanded that dela Rosa be handed over to the ICC. Llore Pasco, who lost two sons during the crackdowns, stated that dela Rosa “played a major role in carrying out Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.”
Pasco added that, like Rodrigo Duterte, dela Rosa “deserves to be jailed and held accountable.” Dela Rosa has previously denied any wrongdoing.
On Tuesday, local media pictured dela Rosa emerging from a fellow senator’s office wearing a T-shirt, and shorts. It remains unclear how long he will stay in the complex or what will happen when he eventually leaves.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Ronald dela Rosa being pursued by government agents?
He is the subject of an ICC arrest warrant, naming him as a co-perpetrator in crimes against humanity related to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug crackdowns.
What is the current status of Vice President Sara Duterte’s legal situation?
The lower house has voted to impeach her over allegations of misusing public funds, unexplained wealth, and threats against the president and first lady; her trial will take place in the Senate.
Under what conditions will the Senate allow an arrest of Ronald dela Rosa?
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano stated that the Senate would only allow an arrest if it were conducted by a Philippine court.
Do you believe international courts should have jurisdiction over national officials if local protections are in place?
