Philippine Senator Accused in Drug War Avoids ICC Arrest at Senate

The senator narrowly escaped and was placed under protective custody inside the chamber. Police later stated they would not arrest him while he remained in the custody of the Senate. The senator has vowed to remain within the Senate premises and do everything possible to avoid being transferred to The Hague.

His lawyers have asked the Supreme Court to block any arrest in the absence of a valid Philippine judicial warrant. The senator is accused of the killing of at least 32 people between 2016 and 2018 as an indirect co-perpetrator in the anti-drugs campaign that resulted in thousands of deaths.

The former president, who appointed the senator as national police chief, has been in ICC custody in The Hague since March 2025. Last month ICC judges ruled that the Philippines remained bound by the court's jurisdiction for crimes committed while it was still a member of the Rome Statute.

Tuesday the senator was still inside the Senate under protective custody, with the building now at the center of a legal and political dispute over whether he could be handed over to international authorities. Supporters gathered outside the Senate, where riot police blocked access.

The senator urged his backers to maintain a vigil until the Supreme Court issues a decision. He told reporters he would answer any obligation in a local court but not a foreign one. The senator added that he would exhaust all available legal means to prevent transfer to The Hague.

Five senators issued a resolution stating the chamber has no authority to provide protective custody or sanctuary from lawful arrest.

The ICC unsealed the warrant hours after the senator's evasion inside the Senate. The former national police chief has maintained he acted within the law during the drug crackdown. The standoff occurred on the same day the Senate elected a new president, with the chamber's 24 members dominated by allies of the former president.

The new Senate leader told reporters the chamber would only act on arrest warrants issued by Philippine courts. The incident comes amid a broader feud between political dynasties that has intensified since the 2022 election alliance collapsed. The former president's daughter, currently vice-president, faces a second impeachment in the lower House of Representatives.

" — Ronald dela Rosa, May 12 2026 (Japan Times) The senator has refused to recognize the ICC's authority, citing the country's 2019 withdrawal from the Rome Statute. ICC judges rejected that argument last month, noting the alleged crimes occurred between 2011 and 2019 while the Philippines was still a member.

Additional reporting detailed how the senator called on supporters to keep vigil outside the Senate until the Supreme Court rules. The images of the senator running through Senate hallways have circulated widely, becoming one of the most striking scenes in recent Philippine politics.

By Tuesday morning the area outside the Senate remained tense with dozens of anti-riot police deployed. The National Bureau of Investigation confirmed it would respect the Senate's protective custody for the time being.