MANILA — With Philippine authorities intensifying efforts to arrest Senator Ronald dela Rosa over an alleged International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant, political observers are now asking whether another high-profile Duterte ally could soon face the same predicament: Senator Bong Go.

Sources reveal that the probable arrests of Duterte co-conspirators in the celebrated crime against humanity case may be effected prior to the July 6 impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte. Go, sources say, may be next on the chopping block.

The issue resurfaced after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed it is prepared to implement additional ICC arrest warrants should they be transmitted through international channels. NBI officials also disclosed that they are continuing their efforts to locate Dela Rosa, who remains in the Philippines despite weeks of speculation about his whereabouts. (ABS-CBN)

The dramatic disappearance of Dela Rosa from the Senate complex earlier this month — now dubbed online as the “Bato Eskapo” — has fueled speculation that other personalities implicated in the ICC investigation may already be preparing contingency plans should arrest warrants be issued against them. Reuters and multiple local reports described how Dela Rosa briefly resurfaced at the Senate before vanishing again amid confusion and a tightening manhunt. (Reuters)

Attention has increasingly shifted to Bong Go after ICC prosecutors publicly identified him as one of the alleged “co-perpetrators” in the crimes against humanity case filed against former President Rodrigo Duterte. According to an ICC Office of the Prosecutor document dated February 13, 2026, prosecutors alleged that Duterte and several senior officials “shared a common plan or agreement” to neutralize alleged criminals and drug suspects through violent means, including murder. (Philippine News Agency)

The ICC prosecution identified Go not merely as a political ally of Duterte but as part of an alleged operational network tied to the anti-drug campaign. Legal analysts point to his longstanding role as Duterte’s most trusted aide and his alleged links to intelligence and coordination mechanisms surrounding the drug war operations. (ABS-CBN)

Aside from Go and Dela Rosa, the ICC reportedly named several other Philippine officials and former officials as alleged co-conspirators or co-perpetrators in the case. These include former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, along with former police officials linked to Duterte’s anti-drug operations. (Philippine News Agency)

Political tensions have further escalated because Bong Go emerged as the top-ranking senatorial candidate in the 2025 midterm elections, reinforcing his national political influence even as international legal pressure builds around Duterte’s inner circle.

Human rights lawyer Cristina Conti, speaking during Radio Veritas’ “Everything for Good” program hosted by former Congressman Erin Tañada and broadcaster Ricky Rivera, said recent ICC developments indicate that investigators are now moving beyond symbolic prosecutions and toward mapping the broader command structure behind the drug war killings.

Conti explained that the ICC’s theory of the case centers on “organizational policy” and “common criminal design,” meaning prosecutors are not limiting liability to direct perpetrators but also to officials believed to have enabled, coordinated, legitimized, or operationalized the campaign. She added that the public naming of Go and other senior officials suggests prosecutors believe there is a sufficient evidentiary basis linking them to the alleged system behind the killings. (ABS-CBN)

The lawyer also warned that the Dela Rosa episode may only be the beginning of a wider political and legal crisis for Duterte allies if additional ICC warrants are issued in the coming months.

Despite the mounting controversy, Bong Go has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and criticized the ICC investigation as politically motivated. (Facebook)