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Advocates Philippines
Bato Seeks Supreme Court Relief After Senate Security Incident, Requests Possible PNP Custody
FILE
Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has asked the Supreme Court for urgent relief following what his legal team described as serious “supervening events” that allegedly took place inside and around the Senate of the Philippines on May 13, 2026.
In a filing dated May 14, 2026, the law firm Torreon & Partners submitted a Very Urgent Manifestation of Supervening Events before the Supreme Court in relation to G.R. No. 278747, Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Senator Ronald “Bato” M. Dela Rosa v. Hon. Lucas Bersamin, et al. The petition seeks a Temporary Restraining Order, Status Quo Ante Order, and other injunctive reliefs.
The filing was submitted to formally inform the High Court of what it described as grave developments, including reported incidents at the Senate complex such as alleged National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) presence within the GSIS-Senate area, an alleged attempt to access a Senate-connected entry point, reported drilling activity, firing of shots, and a lockdown inside the Senate. It also cited conflicting official statements that followed the incident.
According to the petition, investigations are ongoing by the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The legal team said it is awaiting official findings that would clarify the chain of command, access points used, firearms allegedly involved, and the participation of any government agency or private individuals.
The filing stressed that the Senate is a constitutional institution and should not be subjected to any operation that places lawmakers, staff, security personnel, media, and guests in danger. It also emphasized that no arrest operation or political objective can justify endangering a co-equal branch of government.
It further argued that any arrest, detention, transfer, or surrender of Senator Dela Rosa must pass through Philippine courts and cannot rely on any alleged foreign or International Criminal Court (ICC) process without proper judicial authorization.
The petition said the matter is directly connected to constitutional issues already pending before the Supreme Court, particularly the legality of any arrest or possible transfer of the senator outside Philippine jurisdiction.
The legal team added that they will continue pursuing all available legal remedies under the Constitution to protect Senator Dela Rosa’s liberty, due process rights, and mandate as a sitting senator.
Bato seeks possible PNP custody after Senate incident
Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca confirmed that Senator Dela Rosa raised concerns for his safety following the incident and inquired about the possibility of being placed under police custody.
Aplasca said the senator made the request during discussions after the Senate incident on Wednesday. He added that the Chief of the Philippine National Police noted that custodial facilities are equivalent to detention centers, and the request would be reviewed.
According to Aplasca, the conversation took place during a meeting held in the aftermath of the reported shooting incident. Dela Rosa later left the Senate hours after the discussion.
In a filing dated May 14, 2026, the law firm Torreon & Partners submitted a Very Urgent Manifestation of Supervening Events before the Supreme Court in relation to G.R. No. 278747, Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Senator Ronald “Bato” M. Dela Rosa v. Hon. Lucas Bersamin, et al. The petition seeks a Temporary Restraining Order, Status Quo Ante Order, and other injunctive reliefs.
The filing was submitted to formally inform the High Court of what it described as grave developments, including reported incidents at the Senate complex such as alleged National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) presence within the GSIS-Senate area, an alleged attempt to access a Senate-connected entry point, reported drilling activity, firing of shots, and a lockdown inside the Senate. It also cited conflicting official statements that followed the incident.
According to the petition, investigations are ongoing by the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG). The legal team said it is awaiting official findings that would clarify the chain of command, access points used, firearms allegedly involved, and the participation of any government agency or private individuals.
The filing stressed that the Senate is a constitutional institution and should not be subjected to any operation that places lawmakers, staff, security personnel, media, and guests in danger. It also emphasized that no arrest operation or political objective can justify endangering a co-equal branch of government.
It further argued that any arrest, detention, transfer, or surrender of Senator Dela Rosa must pass through Philippine courts and cannot rely on any alleged foreign or International Criminal Court (ICC) process without proper judicial authorization.
The petition said the matter is directly connected to constitutional issues already pending before the Supreme Court, particularly the legality of any arrest or possible transfer of the senator outside Philippine jurisdiction.
The legal team added that they will continue pursuing all available legal remedies under the Constitution to protect Senator Dela Rosa’s liberty, due process rights, and mandate as a sitting senator.
Bato seeks possible PNP custody after Senate incident
Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca confirmed that Senator Dela Rosa raised concerns for his safety following the incident and inquired about the possibility of being placed under police custody.
Aplasca said the senator made the request during discussions after the Senate incident on Wednesday. He added that the Chief of the Philippine National Police noted that custodial facilities are equivalent to detention centers, and the request would be reviewed.
According to Aplasca, the conversation took place during a meeting held in the aftermath of the reported shooting incident. Dela Rosa later left the Senate hours after the discussion.
May 14, 2026
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