Dela Rosa makes Senate comeback, decrying Trillanes, NBI's presence

MANILA, Philippines (2nd update: 6:12 p.m.) — Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa returned to the Senate on Monday, May 11, after seven months of absence, claiming that National Bureau of Investigation agents tried to block him from entering the chamber.

Dela Rosa arrived visibly angry at the Senate plenary, saying he had been "wrestled" by NBI agents and suffered scratches.

"Kung ako'y absent, hinahanap ninyo ako. Ngayon, papakita ko dito, hinarang ako ng NBI, ni-wrestling ako, nagkasugat-sugat ako. This is the Senate. Wala silang respeto sa institusyon ng Senado. Bakit ganun ang NBI?" Dela Rosa told reporters.

(When I am absent, you look for me. Now, I am showing you here: I was blocked by the NBI, they wrestled me, and I ended up with these wounds. This is the Senate. They have no respect for the institution of the Senate. Why is the NBI like that?)

A video presented at plenary, however, showed Dela Rosa being chased by NBI agents. No wrestling occured.

Dela Rosa also decried former senator Antonio Trillanes IV's presence within the Senate premises.

"I am sure Trillanes is involved, Mr. President. Andyan siya eh," Dela Rosa said, addressing newly elected Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. (He is there.)

Return amid Senate coup

Dela Rosa returned to the Senate to join the vote that ousted Senate President Tito Sotto.

He was among the 13 senators who backed the leadership change, installing Cayetano as the new president of the upper house.

Cayetano ordered the Senate sergeant-at-arms to investigate the incident, saying those liable for blocking or harassing Dela Rosa could face inquest proceedings if caught "in flagrante delicto."

On May 10, the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group issued a subpoena against Dela Rosa as part of an investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings in the Davao Region, citing statements made by Arturo Lascañas during House Quad Committee hearings.

Dela Rosa had largely disappeared from public view since November 2025, after then-Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said the International Criminal Court had issued an arrest warrant against the former Philippine National Police chief.

Trillanes holds 'ICC warrant'

Trillanes, who initially filed crimes against humanity complaints against former president Rodrigo Duterte before the ICC, also showed reporters documents he claimed are an ICC arrest warrant against Dela Rosa.

The first page was marked "secret" and carried a photo of Dela Rosa as Philippine National Police chief alongside the ICC logo.

He said he accompanied NBI agents to the Senate in response to Dela Rosa's 2024 challenge for him to join any arresting team.

"Hindi na natin palalabasin si Bato," Trillanes said. (We will not let Bato leave.)

Philstar.com has sought comment from the ICC on the alleged warrant but has yet to receive a response.

Department of Justice spokesperson Polo Martinez said the DOJ has "not seen or received a copy of any alleged warrant."