Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has formally requested to be transferred to the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP), shifting away from the Senate’s protective layers following a security breach at the legislative complex.
Acting Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca disclosed the development during a televised interview on Thursday, noting that the request surfaced during a high-level meeting between the senator and top security officials.
“I learned of the request during a meeting involving dela Rosa, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., and Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla.”
The senator, who previously led the national police force, exited the Senate premises early Thursday morning. His departure followed a tense lockdown triggered by the sound of gunshots echoing within the Senate complex just hours prior.
Dela Rosa had been under the protective custody of the Senate since Monday, a move prompted by attempts from National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents to serve an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The warrant names dela Rosa in a crimes against humanity case involving the drug war during the Duterte administration.
Despite the ICC’s move, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. clarified on Wednesday night that the Philippine government has not authorized a local arrest.