The political atmosphere in the Philippines has rarely felt as charged and volatile as it does now, with the air thick with speculation, fear, and the profound scent of an impending political reckoning. At the center of this storm is an explosive report suggesting that Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, a highly visible and controversial political figure, has allegedly been in hiding for an entire month. This dramatic claim is not an isolated incident; it’s directly linked to the specter of the International Criminal Court (ICC) proceeding with its investigation, a development that now allegedly targets not only Dela Rosa but also high-profile figures like Vice President Sara Duterte and Senator Bong Go. The chilling consensus among observers of the opposition and accountability groups is stark: if the ICC proceeds, the political force known as the Diehard Duterte Supporters (DDS) could face an unprecedented, total collapse.

This news, circulating with the velocity of a political bombshell, has thrust the long-running saga of the ICC investigation back into the national spotlight, transforming a theoretical legal threat into an immediate, personal crisis for the Duterte political dynasty and its most loyal members. The alleged month-long disappearance of Bato Dela Rosa, a man famous for his public bravado and proximity to power, acts as a terrifying political barometer. His silence speaks louder than any rally cry, fueling the narrative that the net of international justice is closing in, threatening to dismantle one of the most powerful political machines the country has seen in decades. The question is no longer if the ICC will act, but who will be next, and whether the DDS can survive the political earthquake their leaders are now desperately trying to outrun.

The Man in the Crosshairs: Bato’s Alleged Vanishing Act

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s persona is inextricably linked to the previous administration’s controversial policies. As the former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and a staunch ally of the former President, his political life has always been lived in the public glare—a figure who commands attention, controversy, and devotion in equal measure. For such a visible personality to allegedly vanish from the public eye for a full month is, in itself, a shocking political event.

The claim of his disappearance is not being framed as a simple vacation or a retreat from political life. Instead, it is being widely interpreted as a direct response to the escalating threat posed by the ICC. Dela Rosa is a key figure explicitly mentioned in the international investigation regarding the contentious policies enacted during the previous administration. His alleged decision to “go into hiding” is a powerful, if desperate, acknowledgment of the severity of the legal danger he faces.

For the political opposition and those seeking accountability, Dela Rosa’s alleged vanishing is confirmation of their long-held suspicions: that the figures involved in the controversy are indeed afraid of facing international justice. His absence validates the narrative that these individuals believe the local legal shield they have long relied upon is beginning to crack, forcing them to take extraordinary measures to evade potential accountability.

For the DDS, however, this reported disappearance is a deeply demoralizing blow. It transforms their champion from a symbol of strength into a symbol of fear and vulnerability. A movement built on uncompromising power cannot easily reconcile itself with a leader who is reportedly running from a fight. The emotional impact on the base is immense, sparking doubt and confusion where once there was only unquestioning loyalty.

The ICC’s Shadow: Targeting the Political Core

The true source of the current panic lies with the International Criminal Court. The ICC’s investigation into the alleged policies implemented during the previous administration has been a long-simmering threat, often dismissed by the former administration’s allies as a foreign intrusion into national sovereignty. However, recent movements and statements from the ICC suggest a renewed commitment to its mandate, injecting a chilling reality into the political discourse.

The latest reports suggest that the ICC’s scope is broadening, allegedly extending beyond Dela Rosa to include other core members of the political dynasty. Senator Bong Go, long known as the former President’s closest aide and an ever-present figure in their political life, is reportedly next on the list. Bong Go’s inclusion is significant; he represents the institutional loyalty and administrative core of the former regime, signifying that the investigation is not merely targeting figureheads but also the machinery of power that executed the controversial policies.

Most explosively, the reports mention Vice President Sara Duterte herself as a potential future target. This is the ultimate political game-changer. While the Vice President was not directly involved in the contested anti-crime operations, her role as the highest-ranking official representing the political dynasty, and her unwavering defense of the previous administration’s policies, places her squarely in the crosshairs of a narrative that seeks to dismantle the entire political edifice.

The possibility of the ICC targeting the sitting Vice President is a constitutional crisis waiting to happen. It is a terrifying prospect that forces the current administration to confront the reality of international legal obligations versus domestic political survival. This widening dragnet signifies that the ICC is not pursuing individual cases, but attempting to hold accountable the entire command structure and political environment that facilitated the alleged policies.

The Collapse of the DDS: The Ubiquitous Fear

The fear now gripping the political environment is that this ICC action will lead to the complete “ubos” (wiping out or annihilation) of the Diehard Duterte Supporters (DDS) as a cohesive political force. The DDS is a movement built on the foundation of the Dutertes’ perceived invincibility and their absolute triumph over their political enemies. The threat of ICC action—which implies severe legal consequences, possible arrest, and international isolation—shatters this image of invincibility.

For the DDS base, the potential targeting of their most recognizable leaders—Dela Rosa, Bong Go, and especially Sara Duterte—represents a multi-front assault that they are ill-equipped to defend against:

Legal Inability: The DDS are primarily a political and online force. They have no institutional power to stop an international legal process. Their loudest online cries and biggest rallies are utterly irrelevant to the courts in The Hague.

Emotional Exhaustion: They have been fighting political and media battles for years. Facing an existential legal threat that could lead to the long-term removal of their leaders creates a state of deep emotional exhaustion and hopelessness.

Political Orphanage: Should the current administration choose to fully cooperate with the ICC, or simply remain neutral (as is politically expedient), the DDS would be left entirely exposed. Their leaders would face international law with little to no state protection, leaving the base feeling completely abandoned and politically “orphaned.”

This scenario is the ultimate nightmare for the DDS. The movement would splinter, with some members retreating into silence, others transforming their loyalty into aggressive anti-government opposition, and many simply giving up, convinced that the political battle has been definitively lost to forces beyond their control. The idea that their entire political family could be taken down by an external legal body is the definitive end to their narrative of national sovereignty and domestic invulnerability.

The Marcos Administration’s Tightrope Walk

The situation places President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his administration on an incredibly precarious tightrope. His government must balance international obligations, local political stability, and the powerful historical alliance that brought him to office.

Cooperation with the ICC: Cooperating with the international investigation, or even just showing openness to the process, satisfies international human rights bodies, improves the country’s global standing, and aligns with the narrative of accountability. Politically, it also serves to neutralize the most potent threat to his political future: a 2028 presidential bid by Sara Duterte. By allowing the ICC process to unfold, the Marcos faction achieves its goal of political containment without appearing to be the direct aggressor.

Defending the Former Allies: Conversely, any move to overtly defend the targeted individuals risks international censure, undermines the rule of law narrative, and aligns his administration with a highly controversial legacy he has been trying to distance himself from. Furthermore, it could open his own officials to scrutiny over obstruction of justice.

The alleged month-long disappearance of Bato Dela Rosa forces Marcos to address the ICC question with immediate clarity. The lack of a strong, public defense for Dela Rosa from the President’s allies is a loud political signal that the UniTeam alliance is dead, and self-preservation is the new political creed.

The Enduring Legacy of Fear

The saga of the ICC investigation and the alleged hiding of a prominent Senator taps into a much deeper, more primal fear in politics: the fear of ultimate accountability. For years, the political forces involved operated under the assumption that their immense domestic popularity and political control would render them immune to external scrutiny. The sudden, looming reality of the ICC has shattered that illusion.

This story is a powerful, ongoing lesson in the limits of power. It demonstrates that even the strongest political mandate can be undermined by the relentless machinery of international law. For the DDS, the rallies are over, the cheering has stopped, and they are now left with the terrifying uncertainty of their leaders’ fate. The question “Sino kaya ang susunod?” (Who will be next?) is no longer a political taunt but a genuine, fear-filled inquiry that defines the current political climate, threatening the very survival of one of the Philippines’ most formidable political movements. The political world watches, knowing that the outcome of this international legal drama will irrevocably change the face of Philippine power.