A top official of the Professional Criminologist Association of the Philippines (PCAP) has expressed dismay over the move of some members of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday, May 11, 2026.

The incident triggered a commotion at the Senate building when a brief chase ensued between Dela Rosa and NBI personnel who were trying to enforce a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The warrant was issued in connection with the killings during the Duterte administration's war on drugs when Dela Rosa was PNP chief.

PCAP President Gerry Caño described the act as a “disgrace” to the NBI’s image, saying the agency’s reputation as a premier law enforcement institution was tarnished by the incident.

“Nakita nato kagahapon kung giunsa pag bastos, giunsa pag-yatak-yatak ang dungog ug dignidad sa institusyon. Ang pagsulod nila sa buhatan sa Senado nga walay tukmang panugot, usa ka dako nga kalapasan ug pag-hugaw-hugaw sa imahe sa NBI,” Caño said.

Caño also questioned the authority of former Senator Antonio Trillanes to bring the warrant to the Senate despite not holding a government position.

“Kulang sa pansin atong tan-aw sa iya. Gusto niya nga makuha permi sa limelight. Adunay gitawag nga collusion, adunay conspiracy ang ICC and the group of Mr. Trillanes, and this is a political weapon,” Caño argued.

PCAP urged all law enforcement agencies in the country to adhere to legal procedures to protect human rights.

TO EXHAUST REMEDIES

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa said that they will exhaust all means to prevent his arrest to face.

"We will exhaust all available means, legal means kailangang gawin natin lahat para hindi nila tayo madala doon sa The Hague," Dela Rosa said in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB.

He said his camp filed a new manifestation with the Supreme Court (SC) for his immediate judicial protection, and he will wait for the decision.

In a statement Monday, the law firm of Torreon and Partners said they filed an urgent manifestation with omnibus motion for guidance on the legal effect of the arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

"As usual, a-attend ako ng session and wait for the ruling of the Supreme Court sa mga petition na pinadala namin dun," Dela Rosa said.

He further said that he will stay in the Senate.

"Dito lang ako, hindi ako aalis," he said.

Dela Rosa also appealed to President Ferdinand "Bong" Marcos Jr. not to surrender him to the ICC amid the issuance of an arrest warrant against him over his links to the controversial war on drugs.

Dela Rosa, who is under the protective custody of the Senate, is currently staying at the chamber amid the ICC warrant of arrest in in connection with the crimes against humanity case involving former president Rodrigo Duterte.

"Mr. President, alam kong wala kang personal na galit sakin. Sana naman bilang ama ng ating bansa, alagaan mo ang iyong mga anak. Alagaan mo ang lahat ng mga Pilipino," dela Rosa told reporters.

(Mr. President, I know you don't have a personal vendetta against me. I hope that as the head of the state, you would take care of your constituents.)

"Huwag niya ako ipadala sa The Hague...Pareho tayong Pilipino, kung meron akong pananagutan, panagutan ko sa ating local court, huwag sa banyaga," he said.

(I hope he won't surrender me to the ICC and send me to The Hague. We are both Filipinos. If I have any case, I would like to face it before our local court, not a foreign one.)

On Monday, NBI agents attempted to arrest dela Rosa in the Senate premises. CCTV footage showed the senator running up stairs and corridors en route to the Plenary Hall to evade his civilian-attired pursuers.

Senators later voted to cite the agents in contempt and place them under the custody of the chamber. Following a meeting with NBI Director Melvin Matibag, the agents were placed under NBI custody.

Dela Rosa appeared at the Senate for the first time since November 2025 to attend Monday's plenary session. He has not attended any session at the Senate amid claims that the ICC issued a warrant of arrest against him.

(With reports from GMA News Online)