National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag has labeled Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa as "armed and dangerous" in connection with an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). During a media forum on Saturday, May 23, 2026, Matibag stated that all wanted criminals are considered armed and dangerous from their perspective.
"When we say 'armed and dangerous,' we mean that for every target or person served a warrant, we always prepare for the possibility that the subject may be armed," Matibag explained.
In Dela Rosa's case, Matibag cited the senator's background as a former law enforcement official. "There are footage showing Senator Bato leaving with duffle bags, raising suspicion he might have a gun. Additionally, the incident at the Senate indicates that this person could be armed," he said.
Matibag also noted that Dela Rosa's law enforcement experience poses a challenge. "He comes from law enforcement, so he knows how officers operate and how he would be tracked or hunted," he added.
Furthermore, Matibag revealed that even civilians are authorized to arrest Dela Rosa. "Anyone can effect an arrest because he is a fugitive from justice, charged with genocide," he stated.
The NBI director also criticized Dela Rosa's lawyer, Attorney Jimmy Bondoc, who requested law enforcement to coordinate with him before serving the warrant. "The attorney might think he should be the one to serve the warrant, but that's not how it works under the rules of court," Matibag said.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) earlier authorized the NBI and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to arrest Dela Rosa after the Supreme Court denied his petition for a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the arrest.
The warrant stems from a case involving alleged crimes against humanity related to the implementation of the anti-illegal drugs campaign during former President Rodrigo Duterte's administration.
Dela Rosa had evaded arrest by returning to the Senate on May 11, coinciding with a coup that ousted former Senate President Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, who was replaced by Senator Allan Cayetano. After three days in protective custody within the Senate, he left with Senator Robin Padilla in the early hours of May 14, hours after a shooting incident inside the Senate complex.
