“Don't coddle a criminal who killed thousands”: Rights group condemns Senate “custody” of Bato, calls for immediate arrest
KARAPATAN Public Information
PRESS RELEASE
12 May 2026
Reference: Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN secretary general, 09173162831
KARAPATAN Public Information Desk, 09189790580
“Don't coddle a criminal who killed thousands”: Rights group condemns Senate “custody” of Bato, calls for immediate arrest
Human rights group KARAPATAN strongly condemned the Philippine Senate’s decision to place Senator Ronald dela Rosa under so-called “custody” following the International Criminal Court (ICC)’s public announcement of an arrest warrant tied to charges arising from the bloody drug war under former president Rodrigo Duterte.
“You’re keeping a criminal who killed thousands,” KARAPATAN said, denouncing what it called a blatant act of protecting a perpetrator who should not be, in any way, free from accountability.
KARAPATAN secretary general Cristina Palabay said the Senate’s action is “shameless coddling of one of their own,”
“This move reflects the culture of impunity that has allowed thousands of killings to go unpunished,” Palabay said. “It denies victims and their families the justice they have long been demanding.”
The group stressed that dela Rosa’s continued protection under Senate custody stands in stark contrast to the urgency of accountability being demanded by victims of the drug war, many of whom have become victims in as long as 10 years, when Duterte came into power.
KARAPATAN also raised concern over the political timing of the Senate’s performative “coup,” which happened on the very same day of the formal transmittal of the Articles of Impeachment from the House of Representatives against Vice President Sara Duterte.
According to the group, the simultaneous developments suggest a broader political maneuvering within ruling factions.
“By shielding Bato dela Rosa, they are also effectively creating a protective cover for Sara Duterte, who faces impeachment over allegations of misuse of public funds and grave abuse of power,” Palabay said. “The Duterte political bloc is clearly in panic mode and will use every available leverage, including institutional shielding of allies, to evade accountability.”
KARAPATAN called for the immediate arrest of dela Rosa and urged authorities to respect and cooperate with international accountability mechanisms, including the ICC process, as well as domestic proceedings related to human rights violations.
“The victims of the drug war were denied due process. Many were killed without warning or chance to defend themselves,” Palabay said. “Now, those responsible must not be allowed to hide behind Senate protection.”
KARAPATAN ended with calls for urgent accountability, and supported calls to put pressure in the arrest of dela Rosa to face the ICC.
“The Filipino people deserve more than political theater and selective justice. They deserve real accountability. Justice must be pursued now, not delayed any further. Bato must be arrested the and the impeachment against Sara Duterte must push through, both the soonest,” Palabay said.
PUBLIC INFORMATION DESK
publi...@karapatan.org
---------------------------------------------------------------------
KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign. It was established in 1995.