Senator Asks SC to Block Arrest Amid P50-Million Bounty

Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa has requested the Supreme Court to halt his arrest, citing a P50-million bounty for his capture and his labeling as 'armed and dangerous' as threats to his life.

In a 15-page legal filing, dela Rosa's lawyer, Israelito Torreon, argued that recent developments, including the bounty and police declarations, justify a temporary restraining order against the enforcement of the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.

The government has given dela Rosa until October 29 to surrender or face arrest, with officials stating that law enforcement agencies are directed to act swiftly to capture him.

The Supreme Court previously denied dela Rosa's request for a temporary restraining order or status quo ante order in May 2026, ruling he lacked a clear right to protection.

Palace officials defended the bounty, stating it comes from the Department of the Interior and Local Government's intelligence funds and is intended to expedite his capture.

Dela Rosa has been in hiding since May, following an attempt to serve the ICC warrant against him. He briefly emerged from hiding in May but left after a confrontation with security forces.

The ICC has named dela Rosa as one of eight alleged co-perpetrators in the drug war, which resulted in thousands of deaths during former President Duterte's administration.