By Elsie Kamsiyochi
A dramatic political and legal storm is unfolding in the Philippines, with Senator once again at the centre of national controversy. The former police chief, known widely by his nickname “Bato” — meaning “Rock” in Filipino — has found himself facing renewed scrutiny as tensions escalated inside the Philippine Senate amid reports of gunfire and fears of an imminent arrest linked to an international investigation.
On Wednesday evening in Manila, dela Rosa publicly urged Filipinos to intervene if authorities attempted to hand him over to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The appeal came as chaos unfolded near the Senate building, where the sound of gunshots heightened tensions surrounding an already explosive political situation. Dela Rosa claimed that his arrest could happen at any moment, intensifying fears of a confrontation between Philippine authorities and supporters loyal to former President .
At the heart of the controversy are allegations tied to the Philippines’ controversial “war on drugs,” a brutal anti-narcotics campaign that dominated Duterte’s presidency from 2016 to 2022. During that period, dela Rosa served as the chief architect and public face of the crackdown while leading the Philippine National Police. Today, prosecutors at the ICC accuse him of crimes against humanity over allegations linked to thousands of killings carried out during anti-drug operations.
From Police Chief to Duterte’s Most Trusted Enforcer
When Rodrigo Duterte became president in 2016, one of his first major decisions was appointing Ronald dela Rosa — his longtime ally and former police chief in Davao City — to lead the national police force. Duterte entrusted him with implementing a nationwide anti-drug campaign modeled after Davao’s aggressive crime-fighting methods, which had become a defining feature of Duterte’s political reputation.
At the time, dela Rosa made it clear that he had broad authority to reshape law enforcement efforts across the country. The campaign quickly took form through “Project Double Barrel,” an anti-drug strategy designed to target suspected drug users, dealers and criminal networks throughout the Philippines.
Supporters praised the operation for tackling drug-related crime, but critics immediately raised alarms over its violent methods and accusations of extrajudicial killings. Within months of the crackdown beginning, thousands of people had already been killed in police operations that authorities frequently described as armed encounters or shootouts.
Controversial Statements and Harsh Rhetoric
Throughout his tenure as police chief, dela Rosa became known for his uncompromising language and aggressive public statements about the war on drugs. He repeatedly vowed to crush criminal organizations and openly defended tough policing tactics.
Several of his remarks later became part of court documents reviewed by ICC prosecutors investigating Duterte-era violence. Human rights advocates argue that such rhetoric encouraged excessive force and fostered an environment where unlawful killings became normalized.
One particularly controversial speech saw dela Rosa urging recovering drug users to fight back against drug syndicates, comments that critics said crossed ethical and legal boundaries. Yet despite criticism from international organizations and human rights groups, he consistently defended the campaign, insisting police officers acted only in self-defence during operations.
The Human Cost of the Drug War
The Duterte administration officially reported that more than 6,200 suspects were killed during anti-drug operations between 2016 and 2022. Government figures later acknowledged over 6,200 deaths directly tied to the campaign.
However, activists, legal groups and international investigators argue that the true death toll may be far higher. Thousands of urban poor residents, many accused of drug involvement or placed on government watch lists, reportedly died under suspicious circumstances during the crackdown.
Families of victims have long demanded accountability, while supporters of Duterte and dela Rosa insist the campaign helped restore order and reduced criminal activity in communities heavily affected by drugs.
Both Duterte and dela Rosa have repeatedly denied wrongdoing, rejecting accusations that they orchestrated unlawful killings. They maintain that police officers were only authorised to use deadly force when suspects resisted arrest or posed immediate danger.
A Shift Into Politics
After retiring from police service, Ronald dela Rosa transitioned into politics. He briefly led the Bureau of Corrections before running for the Senate in the 2019 national elections, where he secured a decisive victory and gained more than 19 million votes.
His political influence remained strong, especially among Duterte supporters. In 2025, he successfully won a second Senate term, further cementing his place in Philippine politics.
Recently, dela Rosa re-emerged in public after months away from the spotlight, appearing in a Senate leadership vote that could shape the future of impeachment proceedings involving Vice President , daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
A Defining Legal Battle Ahead
Now, Ronald dela Rosa faces perhaps the greatest challenge of his career. As international legal pressure intensifies following Duterte’s own arrest and transfer to The Hague in 2025, attention has shifted toward senior officials accused of helping oversee the deadly anti-drug campaign.
The senator insists he is innocent and has denied involvement in illegal killings. Yet with the ICC investigation advancing and tensions rising inside the Philippine Senate, the coming weeks could determine not only his political future but also the broader reckoning over one of the Philippines’ most controversial chapters in modern history.
Source Reuters
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