Several netizens are circulating a graphic card claiming that fugitive senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has been arrested by the police. This is false.
On July 3 and 8, a Facebook page and two users uploaded the graphic card with a photo of Dela Rosa held by policemen. The text on the card read:
“July 1, 2026
Senator Bato Dela Rosa kumpirmadong nadakip na ng mga pulis
(July 1, 2026
Senator Bato Dela Rosa confirmed to have been arrested by the police).”
This is not true. Dela Rosa remains in hiding after he escaped from the Senate premises in the early hours of May 14 to evade an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.
The false graphic card originated from the TikTok account QNA News, which imitates the branding of GMA Integrated News. The card replicates the layout of GMA Integrated News’ social media news cards, with the name altered to “QNA” instead of “GMA.”
A reverse image search found no credible sources showing that the photo of Dela Rosa captured by the police is authentic.
VERA Files previously fact-checked a fake claim from the same impostor TikTok account.
While Dela Rosa’s whereabouts remain unknown, National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag said on June 24 that the agency continues to receive leads on the location of the senator, adding that he was likely still in the Philippines.
The ICC named Dela Rosa as one of the alleged co-perpetrators in the crimes against humanity case against former president Rodrigo Duterte over the drug war killings. The arrest warrant for Dela Rosa, which was issued confidentially on Nov. 6, 2025, was unsealed last May 11.
The false posts surfaced a few days after the Philippine National Police said they are prepared to arrest Dela Rosa if he appears in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte at the Senate.
On July 22, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said in a radio interview that they were “on track” in arresting Dela Rosa, but refused to give details.
As of writing, the false posts published by two netizens and FB page Bosita RSAP Suporters (created May 22, 2025) collectively amassed 1,345 reactions; 442 comments; and 89 shares.
