Bato seems to be heeding Ping’s ‘advice’
What began in late 2025 as a political joke that Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa would eventually break Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s record for hiding from authorities now appears closer to reality, as the former Philippine National Police chief remained out of sight two weeks after slipping out of the Senate’s “protective custody.”
Despite intensified search operations by the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), authorities have yet to locate Dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over his role in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody antidrug campaign.
Last Sunday, Lacson advised Dela Rosa to “hide well” if he had no intention of surrendering, repeating an unsolicited tip he first gave in November 2025 after reports emerged that the ICC had issued a warrant for Dela Rosa’s arrest as one of the “co-perpetrators” in the case against Duterte.
As Dela Rosa started to miss Senate sessions last year, Lacson recalled reaching out to him through a group chat with fellow senators.
“I asked how he was and told him to take care. He joked: ‘Sir, I’m going to break your record for hiding,’ then followed by a ha-ha,” Lacson said in a December interview.
Lacson himself went into hiding in 2010 even before a Manila court issued a warrant for his arrest over the killings of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and driver Emmanuel Corbito in 2000.
The former police chief stayed out of public view from January 2010 until March 2011, before resurfacing after the Court of Appeals dismissed the murder charges, a ruling later affirmed by the Supreme Court.
Dela Rosa, 64, a former subordinate of Lacson in the PNP who later became police chief himself, resurfaced on May 11 after six months in hiding. In an interview with TV journalist Jessica Soho, he said his return was part of efforts to secure the election of Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president in place of Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.
Three days later, Dela Rosa vanished anew after leaving the Senate premises around 2:30 a.m. on May 14, and even after Cayetano had placed him under the chamber’s “protective custody” amid reports that NBI and CIDG agents were preparing to serve the ICC warrant.
Shooting, escape ‘related’
He also made the slip hours after a shooting incident inside the Senate building between the personnel of the Senate’s Office of Sergeant-at-Arms and NBI agents.
On Thursday, CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico II said investigators believe the Senate shooting and Dela Rosa’s departure were “related.” But he declined to say conclusively that the shooting was staged, citing the ongoing probe.
“We based our findings on the facts that we collect,” Morico told reporters at a Camp Crame briefing.
The CIDG earlier described Dela Rosa’s exit as a “highly coordinated, pre-planned logistical maneuver specifically executed to avoid detection.”
Security videos released by investigators showed Dela Rosa leaving the Senate aboard Sen. Robinhood Padilla’s vehicle before allegedly transferring to another car in Makati City.
‘Obstruction’ raps filed vs Robin
The PNP has since coordinated with transportation agencies to trace vehicles believed to have been used in the “escape.” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said investigators were checking on the role of some drivers, security escorts and owners of backup vehicles linked to Dela Rosa’s departure.
The CIDG on Thursday pushed through with its earlier announcement that it would file a complaint for obstruction of justice against Padilla for facilitating Dela Rosa’s escape.
In a text message to reporters, CIDG public information chief Maj. Helen dela Cruz confirmed the filing at the Department of Justice. The complaint named five other respondents whose names were not immediately disclosed.
On Wednesday, CIDG and NBI agent launched search operations in Parañaque City, Bulacan and Pampanga on properties allegedly connected to Dela Rosa and his associates.
Morico maintained that the operations were conducted legally, after Dela Rosa’s wife, Nancy, alleged that the operatives entered private homes without presenting warrants.
“We have our warrant of arrest that we show if needed,” Morico said.
“I have the highest respect [for Nancy dela Rosa], so I understand her position. Of course, a spouse is a spouse. But the owners can attest, even the local officials in the area, that the CIDG and the NBI acted very professionally,” he added.
“If there is any violation committed, they can always file cases against us with the National Police Commission or the Internal Affairs Service.”
Eid al-Adha message
Even while in hiding, Dela Rosa resurfaced briefly online through a message marking the observance of the Islamic holiday Eid al-Adha.
“We stand in solidarity with our Muslim brothers and sisters in celebrating Eid al- Adha,” he said in Filipino in a Facebook post on Wednesday.
“Despite the persecutions we face on every possible front, we hold fast to our faith: no sacrifice will be in vain. God sees us. God is with us,” Dela Rosa added.
The PNP also confirmed on Thursday that Dela Rosa’s lawyer had formally received the order revoking the senator’s gun licenses and registrations covering a total of 117 firearms.
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