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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Ex-senator Trillanes blasts DILG chief Remulla for failure to arrest Bato

Ex-senator Trillanes blasts DILG chief Remulla for failure to arrest Bato

Published May 15, 2026 03:26 pm

At A Glance

  • Trillanes said Remulla had long been aware of the alleged ICC-issued warrant since last year.
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Friday, May 15, lashed out at Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, calling him incompetent for failing to arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa despite a reported International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.
Trillanes said Remulla had long been aware of the alleged warrant since last year but has since “given up” on whether the DILG chief could actually apprehend the senator.
He also questioned how DILG could claim to provide security and enforce the law when Dela Rosa was able to leave Senate premises while under protective custody.
Trillanes said he holds “zero expectations” from Remulla at this point, adding that he is no longer surprised by developments surrounding the case.
Dela Rosa reportedly slipped out of the Senate around 2 a.m. on May 14 while under protective custody, hours after armed men attempted to enter the premises through the second floor but were blocked by Senate Sergeant-at-Arms personnel.
Earlier this week, the Senate placed Dela Rosa under its protective custody after National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agents tried to serve the ICC-issued arrest warrant.
Trillanes said Remulla should focus more on arresting high-profile fugitives instead of holding press conferences, questioning his stance on the enforceability of the ICC warrant.
He also raised doubts over the DILG chief’s position on the matter, saying Remulla’s statements left him wondering “which side” he was on.
Trillanes further argued that all fugitives would remain free if law enforcement agencies failed to act, accusing the DILG chief of not doing his job.
In response, Remulla said Trillanes is “entitled to his own opinion.”
On the legal basis of the warrant, Trillanes maintained that the ICC order stemmed from investigations into alleged extrajudicial killings during the previous administration’s war on drugs, which left thousands dead.
He said that as former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Dela Rosa could have prevented the killings, stressing that police duty is to serve and protect, not engage in extrajudicial killings.
Trillanes also said criminals should be jailed and drug users rehabilitated, not killed.
He questioned the legality of Senate protective custody in Dela Rosa’s case, arguing that it applies only to offenses punishable by up to six years’ imprisonment and not to alleged crimes against humanity.
In a separate claim dated November 6, 2025, Trillanes said the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I issued the warrant but authorities delayed serving it after Dela Rosa allegedly went into hiding following news of its issuance.
He also said then-Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla had announced the warrant’s existence, prompting Dela Rosa to evade arrest.

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SONNY TRILLANES JONVIC REMULLA BATO DELA ROSA
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