Progressive lawmakers on Thursday demanded answers over how Sen. Ronald dela Rosa managed to leave the Senate despite being under protective custody amid an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Members of the Makabayan bloc condemned what they described as a “monumental blunder” and “grave injustice” to families of drug war victims after dela Rosa reportedly left the Senate premises early Thursday morning.
The Makabayan bloc is composed of Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers, Sarah Elago of Gabriela, and Renee Co of Kabataan.
“The fact that a person wanted by an international tribunal for crimes against humanity could slip out of a heavily secured government institution is a major failure of the administration and the Senate leadership, and it is a monumental injustice to the victims and their families,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement.
The progressive solons argued that the incident exposed deep flaws in the country’s justice system, particularly when influential personalities are involved.
“This is not a mere procedural lapse. This is a national embarrassment and a clear demonstration of how impunity works in practice when the accused is powerful and well-connected,” they said.
“Habang nagtatago ang dapat managot, patuloy na dinadala ng mga pamilya ng biktima ang bigat ng pagpaslang at kawalan ng hustisya (While those who should be held accountable continue to hide, the families of the victims continue to carry the burden of killings and the absence of justice),” they added.
The lawmakers also called on Senate officials and security authorities to explain how dela Rosa was able to leave the premises and whether lapses or coordination failures occurred.
“The public deserves answers,” they said.
They further raised questions about the reported gunfire incident that coincided with developments surrounding the ICC warrant, saying authorities must clarify whether the commotion was used as a diversion.
“The reported shooting incident that coincided with developments around the warrant raises serious questions on whether it was staged or exploited as a diversion to cover an escape,” they said.
“Dapat linawin ng Senado at ng PNP kung ginamit ang insidenteng ito bilang panakip-butas. Kailangang may managot sa anumang sabwatan at kapabayaan (The Senate and the PNP must clarify whether the incident was used as a cover. Someone must be held accountable for any conspiracy or negligence),” they added.
The Makabayan bloc also urged the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to ensure dela Rosa faces the charges against him before the ICC in The Hague.
“The full resources of the state must be deployed to locate him, take him into custody, and bring him to justice,” the lawmakers said.
“The government has a duty to uphold accountability, not to tolerate evasion or provide backdoor protection to high-ranking officials accused of grave crimes. Hindi dapat maging kanlungan ng mga pinaghihinalaang kriminal ang Senado (The Senate should not become a refuge for individuals accused of serious crimes),” they added.
The lawmakers said the incident further highlighted what they described as a political system where accountability is undermined by elite alliances, patronage, and political bargaining.