The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday confirmed that Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa had left the Senate premises in Pasay City, effectively ending his protective custody under the chamber.
“Yes, 2:30 am,” DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said in a message, confirming reports that Dela Rosa left the Senate early Thursday morning.
“He is no longer under Senate protective custody,” the DILG chief added.
Dela Rosa surfaced at the Senate on Monday after a six-month absence from the chamber.
The Senate had placed him under protective custody following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with its crimes against humanity case against former president Rodrigo Duterte over the previous administration’s war on drugs.
Dela Rosa has been named among Duterte’s alleged co-perpetrators in the case before the ICC.
Asked whether Dela Rosa would be arrested now that he was no longer under Senate protection, Remulla said authorities would still wait for the necessary documents.
“We will wait till the papers are in order,” he said.