NATIONAL
Advocates Philippines
SC Denial Clears Way For Bato Arrest
FILE
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said authorities are now prepared to enforce the arrest warrant against Senator Ronald dela Rosa after the Supreme Court denied his plea to stop the government from carrying out the order linked to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau is acting on instructions from Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida following the high court’s decision rejecting Dela Rosa’s petition for a temporary restraining order.
“The order is to arrest Senator Dela Rosa, so we’ll do so without delay,” Matibag said.
According to the NBI chief, the absence of a TRO removes any legal obstacle preventing authorities from implementing the warrant.
“That’s why we are effecting the arrest in the absence of a TRO from the Supreme Court,” he explained.
The case against Dela Rosa is tied to the ICC investigation into alleged crimes against humanity connected to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign. Human rights groups estimate thousands were killed during police operations carried out at the height of the drug war under former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Matibag stressed that the bureau would strictly follow legal procedures in carrying out the arrest order.
“Fugitive Senator Dela Rosa will be arrested whether he likes it or not because we have to implement the law without fear or favor,” he said.
The Supreme Court reportedly voted 9-5-1 to deny Dela Rosa’s petition seeking both a temporary restraining order and a status quo ante order that would have prevented Philippine authorities from recognizing or enforcing the ICC warrant.
Meanwhile, the NBI said it is cooperating with an ongoing Department of Justice fact-finding investigation into the May 13 shooting incident inside the Senate complex, which happened days after authorities attempted to serve the warrant.
Matibag said the bureau has allowed members of the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to interview NBI personnel involved in the operation. Authorities have also turned over video footage, radio communications, and other materials related to operations conducted between May 11 and 13.
The DOJ panel is expected to determine whether proper procedures were followed during the attempted arrest operation and the incidents that followed inside the Senate premises.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau is acting on instructions from Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida following the high court’s decision rejecting Dela Rosa’s petition for a temporary restraining order.
“The order is to arrest Senator Dela Rosa, so we’ll do so without delay,” Matibag said.
According to the NBI chief, the absence of a TRO removes any legal obstacle preventing authorities from implementing the warrant.
“That’s why we are effecting the arrest in the absence of a TRO from the Supreme Court,” he explained.
The case against Dela Rosa is tied to the ICC investigation into alleged crimes against humanity connected to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign. Human rights groups estimate thousands were killed during police operations carried out at the height of the drug war under former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Matibag stressed that the bureau would strictly follow legal procedures in carrying out the arrest order.
“Fugitive Senator Dela Rosa will be arrested whether he likes it or not because we have to implement the law without fear or favor,” he said.
The Supreme Court reportedly voted 9-5-1 to deny Dela Rosa’s petition seeking both a temporary restraining order and a status quo ante order that would have prevented Philippine authorities from recognizing or enforcing the ICC warrant.
Meanwhile, the NBI said it is cooperating with an ongoing Department of Justice fact-finding investigation into the May 13 shooting incident inside the Senate complex, which happened days after authorities attempted to serve the warrant.
Matibag said the bureau has allowed members of the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to interview NBI personnel involved in the operation. Authorities have also turned over video footage, radio communications, and other materials related to operations conducted between May 11 and 13.
The DOJ panel is expected to determine whether proper procedures were followed during the attempted arrest operation and the incidents that followed inside the Senate premises.
May 21, 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.
