NBI says it has ‘good leads’ on Dela Rosa, awaits chance to arrest him

Abi Sarabia M., Philippine Canadian Inquirer
September 06, 2026

Photo courtesy: Philippine News Agency

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it has “good leads” on the whereabouts of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as authorities continue efforts to arrest him over an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau’s manhunt operations remain active and authorities are waiting for the right opportunity to apprehend the senator.

Matibag did not disclose Dela Rosa’s possible location or other operational details but said the NBI is making progress in tracking him.

Dela Rosa has remained out of public view after briefly resurfacing at the Senate in May, where he participated in the leadership vote that elected Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president.

Authorities had attempted to arrest Dela Rosa at the Senate after the ICC warrant against him was made public. He was later placed under the chamber’s protective custody before leaving the Senate premises and disappearing from public view again.

The ICC warrant alleges that Dela Rosa, who served as Philippine National Police chief during the Duterte administration, bears criminal responsibility as an indirect co-perpetrator for the crime against humanity of murder linked to the government’s anti-drug campaign.

The ICC said the allegations cover at least 32 killings committed between July 2016 and April 2018.

The warrant was initially issued under seal in November 2025 and was unsealed by the ICC on May 11, 2026.

The NBI has since continued efforts to locate Dela Rosa, with Matibag previously saying the bureau had formed a dedicated team and directed its regional and district offices to assist in the search.