Senator Win Gatchalian on Thursday pressed the Senate leadership for an immediate public explanation following reports that Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa successfully slipped out of the Senate premises to evade International Criminal Court (ICC) authorities.
The development follows a period of intense speculation after Dela Rosa sought refuge within the chamber to avoid an arrest warrant. Gatchalian expressed grave concern over the growing rumors of the senator’s departure.
“Mabigat ang ugong sa mga balita na nakatakas na si Sen. Bato Dela Rosa.”
Gatchalian directed his call for transparency toward the Senate leadership and the Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms, citing the need for accountability regarding the building’s security protocols.
“Mariing nanawagan ako sa liderato ng Senado, kasama ang Sargent-at-arms, na magpaliwanag sa publiko kung totoo o hindi totoo ang lumalabas na balita.”
Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, who had previously placed Dela Rosa under protective custody to shield him from arrest, has remained silent on the senator’s current location.
The reported exit occurred in the early hours of Thursday, trailing a chaotic shooting incident inside the Senate building on Wednesday night.
Internal sources and security records indicate that Dela Rosa allegedly left the compound at approximately 2:30 a.m. Preliminary information suggests he may have departed in a vehicle alongside Senator Robin Padilla, ending a days-long standoff that began when he first holed up in the building on Monday.