NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
NBI Says No Arrest For Bato; Agents Withdrawn After Senate Incident
Screengrab from PTV
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clarified that it will not arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who remains under the Senate’s protective custody amid growing attention over a reported International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant linked to his role in the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
NBI officials stressed that there is currently no court order or official international notice, such as an Interpol Red Notice, that would authorize the bureau to take the senator into custody.
The clarification comes as questions continue to circulate over how Philippine authorities would respond if an ICC warrant is formally transmitted through proper international channels. Earlier statements from the Department of the Interior and Local Government have emphasized that any enforcement action would require official coordination through Interpol and domestic law enforcement mechanisms before it can be acted upon locally.
Meanwhile, the NBI confirmed it is pulling out nine of its agents from the Senate premises following a disputed incident involving their presence during heightened security measures inside the chamber.
Reports indicated that the agents were deployed in connection with security concerns during Senate proceedings, but their presence raised questions about jurisdiction and protocol inside the legislative compound.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the bureau will coordinate with Senate authorities to review the incident, while a separate internal inquiry will also be conducted to determine whether proper procedures were followed by the agents involved.
The Senate is likewise expected to assess the situation internally, particularly regarding security arrangements and whether the deployment of outside law enforcement personnel inside its premises was justified.
The developments come amid continued scrutiny of the ICC investigation into alleged crimes against humanity during the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign, where Dela Rosa served as Philippine National Police chief.
Authorities have repeatedly emphasized that no arrest has been made and that any possible enforcement action would depend on the formal transmission of orders through established legal and international channels.
For now, Dela Rosa remains under Senate protective custody as government agencies continue to clarify procedural questions surrounding the reported ICC warrant and its potential enforcement in the Philippines.
NBI officials stressed that there is currently no court order or official international notice, such as an Interpol Red Notice, that would authorize the bureau to take the senator into custody.
The clarification comes as questions continue to circulate over how Philippine authorities would respond if an ICC warrant is formally transmitted through proper international channels. Earlier statements from the Department of the Interior and Local Government have emphasized that any enforcement action would require official coordination through Interpol and domestic law enforcement mechanisms before it can be acted upon locally.
Meanwhile, the NBI confirmed it is pulling out nine of its agents from the Senate premises following a disputed incident involving their presence during heightened security measures inside the chamber.
Reports indicated that the agents were deployed in connection with security concerns during Senate proceedings, but their presence raised questions about jurisdiction and protocol inside the legislative compound.
NBI Director Jaime Santiago said the bureau will coordinate with Senate authorities to review the incident, while a separate internal inquiry will also be conducted to determine whether proper procedures were followed by the agents involved.
The Senate is likewise expected to assess the situation internally, particularly regarding security arrangements and whether the deployment of outside law enforcement personnel inside its premises was justified.
The developments come amid continued scrutiny of the ICC investigation into alleged crimes against humanity during the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign, where Dela Rosa served as Philippine National Police chief.
Authorities have repeatedly emphasized that no arrest has been made and that any possible enforcement action would depend on the formal transmission of orders through established legal and international channels.
For now, Dela Rosa remains under Senate protective custody as government agencies continue to clarify procedural questions surrounding the reported ICC warrant and its potential enforcement in the Philippines.
May 11, 2026
We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations.
Interested? Visit our
Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.
