FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, the Filipino senator at the center of a political and security crisis in the Philippines, is considered one of the most important figures of former President Rodrigo Duterte's era and a symbol of the harsh "war on drugs" campaign.
Known by the nickname "Bato," which means "rock" in Filipino, dela Rosa is a former chief of the Philippine National Police and one of Duterte's closest aides during his 2016-2022 presidential term.
He led the Philippine police precisely at the time when Duterte launched the national anti-drug operation, a campaign that became internationally known for its brutality and high number of victims.
According to official Philippine police figures, more than 6,000 people suspected of being drug traffickers or users were killed during anti-drug operations.
However, international human rights organizations and activists claim that the real number of victims is much higher and could reach tens of thousands.
Many of the victims were killed in slums in Manila and other cities, with family members and human rights groups accusing police and vigilante groups of extrajudicial executions.
Philippine authorities have consistently denied the existence of a state policy of systematic killings and have stated that those killed had resisted arrest.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) opened investigations into the Duterte administration's anti-drug operations, arguing that there are suspicions of crimes against humanity.
Dela Rosa is considered a key figure in this process because of his role as police chief during the bloodiest period of the operations.
The ICC recently published the arrest warrant against him, a document that, according to Philippine media, was issued in November.
He is accused of involvement in crimes against humanity, the same charges facing Rodrigo Duterte, who is in The Hague awaiting trial following his arrest last year.
After the arrest warrant was issued, dela Rosa took refuge in the Philippine Senate building, seeking institutional protection and appealing to the Supreme Court to block the implementation of the ICC ruling.
He also called on his supporters not to allow "another Filipino to be sent to The Hague."
The situation became even more tense as security authorities and armed forces began to position themselves near the Senate.
On the evening of May 13, at least 10 gunshots were heard inside the Senate building, while the second floor of the building was isolated.
According to Interior Minister Jonvic Remulla, the shooting occurred during a clash between Senate security forces and gunmen who attempted to enter the building.
No one was injured, while authorities have launched investigations and have taken security camera footage into administration.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said the government had nothing to do with the incident, amid accusations from Duterte's allies that members of the military or state agents had entered the building.
The crisis has deepened the political clash in the Philippines between Duterte's supporters and the current administration, while the issue of the "war on drugs" continues to remain one of the most controversial topics in the country.
For many Filipinos, dela Rosa remains a figure who uncompromisingly carried out Duterte's orders and guaranteed control of police operations.
To his critics and international human rights organizations, he is considered one of the main responsible for one of the most violent periods in modern Philippine history.
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