Philippine Senator Ronald dela Rosa Escapes ICC Arrest Warrant

May 14, 2026, 13:29
AsiaPolitics

Introduction

Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a former national police chief wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), has left the Philippine Senate after being kept under protection and following a violent incident involving gunfire.

Main Body

The current crisis began on Monday, May 12, 2026, when the ICC released an arrest warrant for Senator dela Rosa. The court claims he was involved in the murder of at least 32 people between 2016 and 2018 during former President Rodrigo Duterte's anti-drug campaign. After being missing for six months, dela Rosa returned and was protected by other senators, led by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano. On Wednesday, May 13, the situation became more dangerous when gunfire broke out inside the Senate. Reports suggest that security guards fired weapons during a clash with government agents. This happened shortly after dela Rosa used social media to ask supporters for help, claiming he was about to be arrested. Although President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. denied ordering the arrest, the National Bureau of Investigation is investigating whether the shooting was a distraction to help the senator escape. Senate President Cayetano later confirmed that dela Rosa had left the building. This event is part of a larger political conflict between President Marcos and the Duterte family. Former President Duterte is currently held in The Hague, and Vice President Sara Duterte is facing an impeachment trial. The Vice President asserted that the government is trying to destroy the political opposition. Meanwhile, dela Rosa has asked the Supreme Court for help, arguing that the ICC has no power over him because the Philippines left the Rome Statute in 2019.

Conclusion

Senator dela Rosa is still missing while the Philippine government investigates the shooting and the ICC continues to search for him.

Learning

⚑ The 'Power Move': From Basic to B2 Verbs

At an A2 level, you describe things simply: "He went away" or "He said the court has no power."

To reach B2, you need to replace generic verbs with Precise Action Verbs. These verbs don't just tell us what happened; they tell us the intent and the intensity.

πŸ” The Upgrade Path

Look at how this text transforms basic ideas into professional, B2-level English:

  1. **Instead of "Said" β†’\rightarrow Use Asserted or Claimed

    • A2: "The Vice President said the government is trying to destroy them."
    • B2: "The Vice President asserted that..."
    • Why? Asserted means saying something with strong confidence. Claimed suggests the speaker is saying something that might not be true yet.

  2. **Instead of "Left" β†’\rightarrow Use Escapes or Left the building (in context)

    • A2: "The senator left the room."
    • B2: "The senator escapes the arrest warrant."
    • Why? Escape adds the element of danger and evasion. It changes the story from a simple exit to a dramatic event.

  3. **Instead of "Is looking into" β†’\rightarrow Use Investigating

    • A2: "The police are looking into the shooting."
    • B2: "The NBI is investigating whether the shooting was a distraction."
    • Why? Investigating is the formal, academic term for a systematic search for truth.

πŸ› οΈ The B2 Blueprint: "Connecting the Logic"

Notice the phrase: "...arguing that the ICC has no power over him because..."

An A2 student uses because to start a new sentence. A B2 student uses a participle phrase (arguing that...) to attach a reason to a person's action in one fluid motion.

Try this logic shift:

  • A2: He asked for help. He said he was in danger. β†’\rightarrow (Two choppy sentences)
  • B2: He asked for help, claiming he was about to be arrested. β†’\rightarrow (One sophisticated flow)

Vocabulary Learning

warrant (n.)
A judicial order authorizing the arrest or detention of a person.
Example:The police presented a warrant to arrest the suspect.
claims (v.)
States or asserts something as fact.
Example:The defense claims that the evidence was tampered with.
murder (n.)
The unlawful killing of a human being.
Example:He was charged with the murder of a neighbor.
campaign (n.)
A planned series of actions to achieve a goal.
Example:The anti-drug campaign aimed to reduce street violence.
missing (adj.)
Not present or found where expected.
Example:The missing child was found after a long search.
conflict (n.)
A serious disagreement or struggle.
Example:The conflict between the two parties escalated.
impeachment (n.)
The process of formally accusing a public official of wrongdoing.
Example:The senator faced impeachment after the scandal.
distraction (n.)
Something that takes attention away from the main task.
Example:The loud music was a distraction during the exam.
escape (v.)
To get away from confinement or danger.
Example:She tried to escape from the prison at midnight.
statute (n.)
A written law enacted by a legislative body.
Example:The new statute regulates data privacy.