The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) has expressed outrage over the escape of Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa from the Philippine Senate premises. Dela Rosa, a key figure in former President Rodrigo Duterte's deadly war on drugs, is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity.
Drug War Deaths and Impunity
Duterte's anti-drug campaign resulted in an estimated 12,000 to 30,000 deaths, primarily among poor drug users and dealers. The CTUHR notes that the campaign worsened impunity for human rights violations and was expanded to target dissenters, with 99 labor activists extrajudicially killed under Duterte's rule.
Escape and Alleged Collusion
The CTUHR believes the ICC arrest warrant, issued in November 2025 and made public in May 2026, should have been served immediately. They allege that Dela Rosa's escape was facilitated by new Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, a Duterte ally. After seven months in hiding, Dela Rosa surfaced to vote for Cayetano, who then ensured his escape. Cayetano refused to recognize the ICC warrant, claiming Dela Rosa did not escape and was free to go. The escape involved gunfire inside the Senate building, marking an unprecedented low for the institution under Cayetano's leadership.
Government Indecision
The CTUHR also blames President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s lack of resolve. Despite strong statements from Presidential Spokesperson Claire Castro and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, Marcos Jr. was indecisive in fulfilling the government's duty to arrest Dela Rosa and surrender him to the ICC.
Legal Excuses and Sovereignty Claims
Supporters of Duterte and Dela Rosa have invoked legal excuses and appealed to the Constitution and sovereignty to defend the escape. The CTUHR argues that criminals responsible for killing tens of thousands pose a greater threat and are the biggest violators of the law and Constitution. They also note that Duterte himself undermined sovereignty by courting global superpowers.
Need for ICC Prosecution
Dela Rosa's escape underscores the necessity of ICC prosecution for Duterte and his co-conspirators. The CTUHR asserts that Philippine political institutions are failing to deliver justice to drug war victims and uphold human rights. Political leaders are either conspiring with criminals or lacking resolve to hold them accountable.
Demands for Justice
The CTUHR supports Filipinos protesting Dela Rosa's escape and demands his immediate arrest by the Philippine government and detention and trial by the ICC. They call on the Marcos Jr. government to use all means to arrest Dela Rosa and to clearly stand for human rights, democracy, and justice.
