Former senator Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes IV on Wednesday said agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) could have arrested Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa during a recent attempt to serve an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, arguing that the Senate should not act as a “sanctuary” for individuals facing crimes against humanity complaints.
Speaking on DZRH’s Damdaming Bayan, Trillanes criticized the Senate’s decision to place Dela Rosa under protective custody, saying it undermines accountability and the rule of law.
“Hindi pwedeng maging sanktuaryo ang Senado ng mga international criminal,” Trillanes said, stressing that the arrest warrant against Dela Rosa stemmed from an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC), which he described as “very professional” and evidence-driven.
He said the case is linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign, where Dela Rosa, as then chief of the Philippine National Police, implemented operations such as Oplan Tokhang.
Trillanes alleged that thousands of Filipinos died during the campaign, which he said formed the basis of the ICC’s findings.
The former senator also took issue with how Dela Rosa responded when NBI agents attempted to serve the warrant, claiming the senator resisted and sought refuge among colleagues.
“Binigyan siya ng respeto ng mga NBI agents. Hindi siya ginapos o kung ano man, kasi nga senador siya,” he said.
Despite the standoff, Trillanes said the NBI had the authority to carry out the arrest even inside the Senate session hall if it chose to do so.
“Kung gugustuhin lang ng NBI noong araw na iyon, pwede nilang i-implement 'yun kahit sa loob ng session hall. Wala pong nagbabawal doon,” he said, adding that anyone who obstructs the service of a warrant could face arrest for obstruction of justice.
He cited a previous incident involving a security official who was handcuffed after allegedly blocking law enforcement, saying the same principle would apply regardless of position.
Trillanes also warned that any future attempt to serve the warrant could result in the arrest of those who interfere, including Senate security personnel.
“Kapag pumasok yan ulit at i-serve yung warrant, lahat ng sasagabal dyan, yung Senate security man o kung sino, ay pwede silang maposasan," Trillanes highlighted.
On reports that a private jet had been prepared to transport Dela Rosa to The Hague if arrested, Trillanes said he could not confirm the information but noted that such a move would be consistent with Philippine law.
“Hindi ko na alam po yung ganyan na impormasyon. Sana [nga] po, nakaredy na," he explained.
He pointed to Republic Act 9851, which allows Philippine authorities to surrender individuals accused of crimes against humanity to international tribunals.
He also said the same legal basis was used in the earlier transfer of former President Rodrigo Duterte to The Hague, which was not overturned by the Supreme Court.
Trillanes further rejected arguments questioning the ICC’s jurisdiction, saying that crimes allegedly committed while the Philippines was still a member of the Rome Statute remain under the court’s authority even after withdrawal.
