SENATOR Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and former Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director, revealed that he received heartfelt support from retired police officers and soldiers following the recall of his official security detail by the Philippine National Police (PNP).
He said that despite lacking firearms and official resources, these volunteers have stepped forward to provide security for him, offering basic survival supplies and demonstrating a deep sense of loyalty.
In a post shared by the senator on March 25, 2025, the official said: “When my security details were recalled by the PNP, retired cops and soldiers started volunteering as replacements. They have no firearms but they are equipped with kamote, balanghoy, saging, manok bisaya, and ready to survive with me. Very heartwarming.”
The recall of Dela Rosa’s security detail is part of standard procedures following the completion of his one-year entitlement to government security after stepping down as the PNP chief.
As with all former government officials, Dela Rosa was entitled to a year of protection by the PNP, but once that period expired, the security detail was withdrawn, leaving the senator to arrange alternative protection.
Dela Rosa’s security situation comes at a time when he is under significant public and legal scrutiny in relation to the war on drugs launched during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Dela Rosa was alleged to be the chief architect of the controversial campaign, which has been criticized for extrajudicial killings (EJK) and human rights violations. This issue has continued to hound him in the years even as he left his position as PNP chief.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened an investigation into the war on drugs, with a focus on crimes against humanity committed during the period from 2016 to 2022. Dela Rosa, as a former key figure in the Duterte administration and the head of the PNP during the height of the drug war, is among those eyed for ICC investigation.
He has consistently defended the campaign, arguing that it was a necessary effort to curb illegal drug use and crime in the Philippines. However, human rights organizations and international bodies have raised concerns about the deaths of thousands of individuals.
Earlier this year, Dela Rosa publicly acknowledged the ongoing ICC investigation but continued to defend the war on drugs as a legitimate and vital part of the Duterte administration's policies. He also made it clear that he would not cooperate with the ICC investigation, dismissing the court's authority over the Philippines since it withdrew from the Rome Statute in 2019 under Duterte’s leadership.
Currently, Dela Rosa has admitted that hiding from arrest is an option he's considering after the ICC detained the former leader over charges related to the war on drugs.
Dela Rosa, who led the campaign as Duterte’s top cop, said he is exploring other “courses of action” if the Supreme Court rules against his petition to stop the government’s assistance in the ICC investigation.
“That's one of the things we are considering,” Dela Rosa said, though he stressed he would not resist arrest. “How will you fight against the Philippine National Police? It’s useless if you fight back,” he added, citing his experience as former PNP chief.
He also mentioned that if the Supreme Court and Senate support him, he would evaluate his next steps. "Most likely, I’ll stay longer in the Senate to avoid arrest," he said.
As of press time, the politician has not yet provided a statement regarding his security details to SunStar Davao. DEF