MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government has escalated its efforts to arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, with Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announcing a ₱50-million reward for information leading to the senator’s capture on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Remulla also described dela Rosa as “armed and dangerous,” signaling a tougher stance as authorities pursue the senator over an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Philippines’ war on drugs.
The announcement marks a significant development in the government’s efforts to enforce the warrant. However, authorities have not announced dela Rosa’s arrest, and the reward should not be interpreted as confirmation that he has been apprehended.
₱50-Million Reward Raises the Stakes
According to reports from ABS-CBN News and Politiko on October 23, Remulla announced the reward during a press briefing, saying authorities had extended the courtesies afforded to a sitting senator but were moving to intensify efforts to bring dela Rosa into custody.
The DILG chief criticized the senator for remaining out of public view as the arrest effort continued.
The government’s latest move comes amid months of uncertainty surrounding dela Rosa’s whereabouts and the efforts of law enforcement agencies to execute the ICC warrant.
Authorities Weigh Arrest Against Risk of Violence
The bounty announcement follows Remulla’s earlier statements that dela Rosa was believed to be in Mindanao and was allegedly being protected by an unidentified group.
Remulla said authorities were pursuing discussions with the group to arrange the senator’s turnover, arguing that a forceful operation could lead to a violent confrontation.
In previous remarks reported by GMA News, Remulla cited the possibility of as many as 10,000 deaths in a worst-case scenario. However, he did not publicly explain the basis for that estimate.
The figure remains an estimate attributed to Remulla, not an independently established casualty projection.
The reported negotiations have also prompted questions about the government’s approach. Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said on October 21 that authorities should not negotiate with an armed group whose members may not be legally authorized to possess weapons. He nevertheless emphasized the importance of preventing violence and ensuring an orderly resolution.
Why Is Bato dela Rosa Wanted by the ICC?
The ICC unsealed dela Rosa’s arrest warrant on May 11, 2026. The warrant had originally been issued under seal on November 6, 2025.
According to the court, judges found reasonable grounds to believe that dela Rosa was criminally responsible as an alleged indirect co-perpetrator of murder as a crime against humanity in connection with the Philippines’ anti-drug campaign.
The ICC’s allegations cover conduct during a broader period from November 2011 to March 2019. The court specifically identified alleged murders between July 3, 2016, and the end of April 2018, when dela Rosa served as chief of the Philippine National Police for part of that period.
The court’s findings at the warrant stage are not a conviction. Dela Rosa’s alleged criminal responsibility remains a matter for judicial determination.
A Wider Legal and Political Controversy
The pursuit of dela Rosa comes against the backdrop of the ICC investigation into alleged crimes committed during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte is being held at the ICC in The Hague while awaiting proceedings in his own case involving alleged crimes against humanity.
The Philippine government’s handling of the arrest effort has become a matter of public debate, with officials balancing the enforcement of a judicial warrant against concerns about a potentially dangerous confrontation.
The case also raises continuing questions about accountability for alleged abuses during the anti-drug campaign and the legal process for pursuing suspects in international criminal proceedings.
What Happens Next?
The immediate questions are whether the ₱50-million reward will generate actionable information, whether authorities can secure dela Rosa’s peaceful surrender, and how the government will proceed with the ICC warrant.
As of the latest reports on October 23, authorities had announced the bounty, but no confirmed arrest had been reported.
For now, the search continues—and the next move by dela Rosa and the authorities could determine how this high-profile legal and political standoff unfolds.
