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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bato appeals for military support amid ICC arrest warrant; sings PMA hymn

Bato appeals for military support amid ICC arrest warrant; sings PMA hymn

Published May 13, 2026 02:25 pm
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, on Wednesday, May 13, appealed to his "cavaliers" or fellow graduates of the Philippine Military Academy, to show “peaceful support” against what he described as foreign interference in Philippine sovereignty.
Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa speaks during a press conference at the Senate in Pasay City, May 13, 2026. Senator Dela Rosa called on his fellow PMAers and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for support amid the case he is facing before the International Criminal Court. (Mark Balmores)
Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa speaks during a press conference at the Senate in Pasay City, May 13, 2026. Senator Dela Rosa called on his fellow PMAers and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for support amid the case he is facing before the International Criminal Court. (Mark Balmores)
This is amid the possibility of his arrest through an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his role during the previous administration's drug war.
Dela Rosa made the statement after he twice sang the PMA Hymn during public appearances, prompting questions on whether he was sending a message to the country’s security forces.
“The issue there is not about political. The issue there is maintaining the sovereignty of the Philippines so that foreigners will not interfere,” Dela Rosa said in Filipino.
He said many Filipinos, including soldiers, were willing to sacrifice their lives to defend the country’s sovereignty.
Quoting a line from the PMA Hymn, Dela Rosa said: “When bells for us are rung, and our last taps are sung, let generation see our country free.”
“Yan yung parang hinihiwa yung puso namin pag kinakanta namin yung linya na yan (That line feels like a blade cutting through our hearts each time we sing it),” he said, adding that the song served as a reminder to his fellow PMA graduates.
The senator clarified that he was not calling for violence or disloyalty among members of the armed forces and police.
He explained that by “peaceful support,” he meant expressing sentiment against foreign intervention in Philippine affairs.
“Ipakita nila ang sentimento na ayaw nilang pakialaman tayo ng mga dayuhan (They should demonstrate the sentiment of rejecting foreign interference in our affairs,” he said.
Dela Rosa also said he preferred that any case against him be handled by Philippine courts rather than by an international tribunal.
“Kung gusto nila akong bitayin, gusto nila akong ilansang sa krus, dito sa ating Philippine courts, huwag doon sa mga dayuhan (If they want to hang me, if they want to nail me to the cross, let it be here in our Philippine courts, not before foreigners),” he said.
The senator stressed that members of the military and police remain bound by the Constitution and their duty to serve the Filipino people.
When asked why he was seeking support from fellow PMA graduates instead of simply facing the ICC proceedings, Dela Rosa maintained that the Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC and therefore has no obligation to enforce its arrest warrants.
“Hindi na tayo miyembro ng ICC (We are not a member of the ICC). Why are we insisting to carry out these warrants of arrest issued by ICC? We are under no obligation,” he said.
Dela Rosa also claimed that the ICC case against him was politically motivated.

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Ronald \'Bato\' Dela Rosa Philippine Military Academy (PMA) International Criminal Court
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