Manila:Senator Panfilo "Ping" Lacson emphasized that Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa should be allowed to face trial before the International Criminal Court (ICC) without risking violence or bloodshed during his arrest.

According to Philippines News agency, Lacson clarified that his call for due process should not be seen as an attempt to shield Dela Rosa from accountability for alleged crimes linked to the Duterte administration's anti-drug campaign.

Lacson stated that due process is a fundamental right that should be afforded to everyone, including Dela Rosa, regardless of the accusations they face. Dela Rosa, who previously served under Lacson in the Philippine National Police and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force, is currently out of public view.

Efforts to locate Dela Rosa have intensified following the Department of the Interior and Local Government's announcement of a PHP50 million reward for information leading to his arrest. A special police task force has also been formed to track him down.

The ICC issued a warrant against Dela Rosa on November 6, 2025, which was unsealed on May 11, 2026. The warrant pertains to his alleged responsibility for the crime against humanity of murder, involving at least 32 killings during his tenure as PNP chief under former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Dela Rosa briefly appeared at the Senate on May 11 to participate in the election of Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president before disappearing again. His legal team is seeking Supreme Court intervention to prevent his arrest and surrender to the ICC.

Lacson asserted that safeguarding Dela Rosa's constitutional rights should not hinder the authorities' efforts to bring him before the international tribunal to face the allegations.