The halls of the Philippine Senate have been noticeably quieter in recent weeks, and the silence is fueling a firestorm of speculation that could shake the very foundations of the country’s political landscape. Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, the former police chief known for his tough-talking persona and unwavering loyalty to the previous administration, has reportedly been absent from his legislative duties for nearly a month. This uncharacteristic disappearance has led many to ask a chilling question: Is the man who once challenged his critics to “bring it on” now in hiding? The timing of his absence is suspicious, coinciding with intensifying reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) is on the verge of issuing arrest warrants for the key architects of the controversial war on drugs.

For years, the “DDS” political machinery projected an image of invincibility. They laughed off threats of international intervention, citing sovereignty and the popularity of their harsh methods. However, the atmosphere has shifted dramatically. The bravado has been replaced by anxiety, and the once-solid alliance appears to be fracturing under the weight of looming accountability. Sources suggest that Dela Rosa’s prolonged absence is not due to a simple illness or a scheduled vacation, but a calculated move to evade the long arm of international justice. If the Senator has indeed gone underground, it signals a terrifying realization for his camp: the shield of protection they enjoyed for six years has evaporated.

The ICC investigation, which focuses on the widespread loss of life during the aggressive anti-narcotics campaign, has reportedly identified a list of “co-perpetrators.” This list is said to contain eight high-profile names, individuals who were instrumental in planning, orchestrating, and funding the operations that left thousands of families grieving. While Dela Rosa is the most obvious target given his role as the enforcer of “Oplan Tokhang,” he is certainly not alone. The investigation is casting a wide net, targeting not just the trigger-pullers but the masterminds who operated from the shadows of the presidential palace.

Among the names whispered in political circles and allegedly included in the ICC’s confidential files is Senator Bong Go. As the former Special Assistant to the President, Go was the gatekeeper, the man who knew every secret and facilitated every major move of the Duterte administration. His inclusion in the list of potential indictees would be catastrophic for the remnants of the past regime. It implies that the investigators have pierced the veil of executive privilege and are looking at the logistical and financial structures that enabled the crackdown. If Dela Rosa is the muscle, Go is viewed by many as the brain, and his potential arrest would unravel the entire narrative of the drug war.

But the biggest shockwave concerns the current Vice President, Sara Duterte. While she was not the President during the height of the operations, allegations have surfaced regarding her role in Davao City and her complicity in the broader strategy. Political analysts warn that if the ICC issues a warrant for a sitting Vice President, it would trigger a constitutional crisis of unprecedented proportions. The prospect of her being tagged as a “co-perpetrator” threatens to derail her political ambitions for 2028 before they can even fully take off. The “UniTeam” that swept the last elections is already showing signs of deep internal conflict, and an international indictment would likely be the final nail in the coffin.

The public sentiment is a mix of anticipation and disbelief. For the families of those who perished during the nighttime operations, the news offers a glimmer of hope that justice—elusive in local courts—might finally be served. For the supporters of the previous administration, it is seen as an encroachment on national sovereignty. However, the sheer length of Dela Rosa’s absence suggests that even the staunchest defenders of the drug war are realizing that rhetoric alone cannot stop a warrant from The Hague. The fear is real. The “Rock” is nowhere to be found, and his silence speaks volumes about the gravity of the situation.

Reports indicate that the ICC’s “pre-confirmation brief” is comprehensive, relying on testimonies from insiders who have turned against their former bosses. These witnesses have allegedly provided damaging evidence linking the widespread killings not just to rogue cops, but to state policy. The term “co-perpetrator” is legally significant; it means these officials are not just being accused of negligence, but of active participation in crimes against humanity. This classification carries a heavy weight, one that makes international travel impossible and freezes assets globally. It effectively turns powerful leaders into pariahs.

As the clock ticks, the pressure on the current administration to cooperate with the ICC grows. While the official stance has been dismissive, the political reality is that protecting the former president’s inner circle is becoming a liability. If warrants are issued, the government will face a choice: shield the accused and face international sanctions, or hand them over and prove that the Philippines respects the rule of law. It is a high-stakes game of political chess, and the pieces are falling one by one.

The rumored list also includes other key figures such as former PNP chiefs and intelligence officers who were deeply embedded in the operations. Figures like Royina Garma and Oscar Albayalde are also being floated as potential targets. The strategy of the international tribunal appears to be dismantling the chain of command, from the operational heads on the ground up to the highest levels of governance. By targeting the “co-perpetrators,” they are systematically removing the pillars that supported the violent campaign.

In the end, the disappearance of Bato Dela Rosa may just be the prologue to a much larger drama. If he is indeed hiding in a safe house or a remote farm, it symbolizes the total collapse of the fear-mongering tactics that defined an era. The hunters have become the hunted. As the days turn into weeks, and the weeks potentially into months, the Filipino people are left watching and waiting. Will justice be served, or will those who once held the power of life and death over others manage to escape the consequences of their actions? The “DDS” era is facing its twilight, and the darkness they once commanded is now closing in on them.