CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Cagayan de Oro City Representative Lordan Suan has denied making a statement threatening to pursue a so-called “shoot-to-kill” resolution against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, describing the circulating social media quotation as fabricated.
In a statement released on November 2, Suan said several Facebook pages had shared quote cards falsely claiming that he would convene a House committee hearing and file a resolution advocating such an order if dela Rosa failed to surrender in connection with an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.
Suan categorically rejected the allegation, saying he had never made the statement or threatened to initiate the proposed legislative action.
“The quote circulating online claiming I threatened a House hearing and a ‘shoot-to-kill’ resolution against Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa is FALSE, FAKE, FABRICATED. I never made that statement,” the lawmaker said.
Suan emphasizes due process and rule of law
The Cagayan de Oro representative stressed that he supports due process and the rule of law, adding that he would not advocate a measure that could endanger someone’s life or undermine democratic institutions.
As a lawyer and public servant, Suan said his work in the House of Representatives is guided by respect for legal procedures and public order.
He also urged the public to check information through official channels before sharing statements attributed to public officials.
The lawmaker’s office reportedly provided copies of the circulating quote cards as part of its response to the online claims.
According to the report, no corresponding announcement had appeared on Suan’s official social media accounts or through the official communication channels of the House of Representatives.
Viral claim linked to dela Rosa’s ICC case
The controversy emerged amid renewed attention surrounding the ICC arrest warrant against dela Rosa.
The ICC announced on May 11, 2026, that its Pre-Trial Chamber I had unsealed an arrest warrant originally issued under seal on November 6, 2025.
The warrant concerns allegations of crimes against humanity, specifically murder, connected to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign. The ICC stated that there were reasonable grounds to believe dela Rosa was allegedly responsible as an indirect co-perpetrator. These are allegations subject to judicial proceedings, not a final finding of guilt.
The senator has challenged the legal basis of the government’s efforts to implement the warrant and has sought intervention from the Philippine Supreme Court.
Government efforts to locate the senator
The SunStar report also noted that authorities had intensified efforts to locate dela Rosa following the expiration of a government-set period for him to surrender on October 30.
Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla had earlier announced a ₱50-million reward for information leading to the senator’s arrest.
Dela Rosa’s whereabouts remained unknown at the time of the report. His camp has questioned the legal basis of the government’s actions, including the reward and the planned arrest.
The dispute has generated public discussion about the ICC proceedings, the government’s enforcement actions, and the legal protections available to the senator.
Officials and the public urged to verify online statements
Suan’s denial highlights the risks of sharing fabricated quotations attributed to elected officials, particularly when the claims involve sensitive legal and political developments.
A quote card can appear credible when it carries a public official’s name or photograph, but those details do not establish that the person actually made the statement.
The lawmaker reiterated that his official accounts and the House of Representatives’ communication channels should be used to verify his public positions.
As discussions surrounding dela Rosa’s ICC case continue, Suan’s response makes one point clear: the alleged “shoot-to-kill” statement should not be treated as an authentic declaration from the Cagayan de Oro representative.
