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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider The Bato Saga: From surprise return to the great escape

The Bato Saga: From surprise return to the great escape

Published May 14, 2026 02:22 pm

At A Glance

  • Surprise after surprise, Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa's brief return to the Senate was marked by turbulence — from his unexpected appearance during the leadership change to the chaos of a shooting incident inside the Upper Chamber's halls, which ultimately culminated in his alleged departure yet again.
Surprise after surprise, Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa’s brief return to the Senate was marked by turbulence — from his unexpected appearance during the leadership change to the chaos of a shooting incident inside the Upper Chamber’s halls, which ultimately culminated in his alleged departure yet again.  
Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa speaks during a press conference at the Senate in Pasay City, May 13, 2026. (Mark Balmores)
Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa speaks during a press conference at the Senate in Pasay City, May 13, 2026. (Mark Balmores)
While there's no official announcement yet on Dela Rosa's current whereabouts, here's a quick look on what went down in the Senate since the embattled senator's return.
Senators have already condemned the shooting incident which put the lives of those in the Senate at risk.
May 11, 2026 
3:12 p.m. - Dela Rosa arrived at the Senate plenary with a bloodied hand. Angry that he was chased by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents. His presence was crucial to securing the 13 votes to replace Senator Vicente Sotto III.
4:12 p.m. - Dela Rosa made a motion to place the NBI agents involved in the chase to be cited in contempt.
4:25 p.m. - Former senator Antonio "Sonny" Trillanes IV was seen in the Senate carrying an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
5:33 p.m. - A CCTV footage of the chase was played during the plenary session.
7:27 p.m. - A physical altercation ensued between members of the Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms (OSAA) and the NBI agents who were about to leave the Senate.
10:14 p.m. - Cayetano told the media that NBI agents backed off from arresting Dela Rosa after meeting with him. They invoked Senate Resolution (SR) No. 44 and the manifestation made by Senator Rodante Marcoleta, which asserted that the issue should pass through the court. Dela Rosa spends the night in the Senate.
May 13, 2026
11:39 a.m. - Dela Rosa 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. He even sang the PMA hymn.
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.
5:23 p.m. - Dela Rosa went live on Facebook, stating that he received information that he will be arrested after the plenary session.
5:35 p.m. - OSAA Mao Aplasca inspects the premises of the Senate and confirms the presence of the NBI personnel.
6:05 p.m. - Pro and anti-Duterte groups gathered outside the Senate.
6:58 p.m. - Aplasca mentioned that they are going to arrest somebody.
7:11 p.m. - Marines were at the 2nd floor of the Senate.
7:17 p.m. - Dela Rosa was seen boarding the elevator.
7:20 p.m. - The Senate was placed under lockdown. No clear information was given behind the move.
7:35 p.m. - Drilling equipment was heard being used on the Senate's ground floor. The media was told that it was part of preventive maintenance.
7:45 p.m. - Police and Marines entered the hallway leading to the far end of the 2nd floor of the Senate.
7:47 p.m. - Several gunshots were heard by members of the media who followed the operatives
7:48 p.m. - 7:49 p.m. - Members of the media who tried to see what was happening, but more gunshots were heard.
7:50 p.m. - Some journalists were escorted outside after the shooting incident.
7:59 p.m. - The Articles of Impeachment against Vice President Sara Duterte arrived in the middle of the chaos inside the Senate.
8:28 p.m. - DILG Sec. Jonvic Remulla arrives to secure the senators.
9:38 p.m. - Cayetano talks to the media. Remulla tells the media there are zero casualties or deaths.
May 14, 20216
10:35 p.m. - A senator confirms from the Senate secretariat that Dela Rosa left the Senate premises at 2:30 p.m.
3:26 p.m. - In a press conference, Cayetano confirms that Dela Rosa left the Senate premises.

Related Tags

Ronald dela Rosa Senate of the Philippines International Criminal Court
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