More ICC arrest warrants out soon, says Matibag
NBI: Fugitive Bato considered ‘armed, dangerous’
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IN METRO MANILA
VOL. XL • NO. 99 • 3 SECTIONS 12 PAGES MAY 24, 2026
By Charles Dantes
T
HE International Criminal Court may issue additional arrest warrants soon in connection with the crimes against humanity case of former President Rodrigo Duterte, National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag said.
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SPOTTED AFTER OVER 100 YEARS.
Distinct, mysterious and deeply connected to the forests of Leyte, the ‘lost’ Leyte bleedingheart was sighted after more than a century within the Leyte Sab-a Basin Peatland in central Leyte. The photo released on Friday, May 22, 2026, by the International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) was taken by Marvin Jay Sarmiento and his team during biodiversity monitoring activities in the peatland. ‘This may be the first documented sighting of the subspecies on the island, with the photo serving as its first contemporary and publicly known evidence in more than a century,” the IIRR said in a statement. Marvin Jay Sarmiento / IIRR
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ICC: Rody to remain detained, says he’s a significant flight risk
‘Senate minority bloc backs Gatchalian as leader’ SENATOR Panfilo Lacson on Saturday said the Upper Chamber’s potential recovery may begin with a “win,” as the minority bloc united in support of Senator Sherwin “Win” Gatchalian for Senate president. Lacson said Gatchalian has so far emerged as a consensus candidate for Senate president, garnering acceptance from both minority and some majority members. “We know Gatchalian is qualified and can lead the Senate to have a united front against all issues facing it... He is acceptable not only to the minority but to some members of the majority,”he said. “He is capable, qualified, and
prepares for his work. In all the committee hearings he attended or presided over, he knew what he was talking about, and he was prepared. So, we see him as eminently qualified to become the Senate President of the 20th Congress at least,” Lacson added. The veteran lawmaker revealed their group of 11 senators had solidified this decision during a recent caucus, branding Gatchalian’s nomination as a “non-negotiable” choice if there are to be leadership changes. For now, Lacson said the minority bloc is hoping some members of the majority bloc would join them in efforts to redeem the Senate’s integrity.
WASHINGTON – The Trump administration said most foreigners seeking a Green Card granting permanent US residency must apply from their home countries. “From now on, an alien who is in the US temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances,” US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) spokesman Zach Kahler said in a statement. “Nonimmigrants, like students, temporary workers, or people on tourist visas, come to the US for a short time and for a specific purpose,” Kahler said. “Our system is designed for them to leave when their visit is over,” he said. “Their visit should not function as the first step in the Green Card process.” Turn to A4
He said the NBI has received information indicating that more warrants could soon be released following the arrest order against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, whom Matibag described as “armed and dangerous.” “We have information that there are several more who will be issued warrants of arrest,” Matibag said. “It doesn’t matter who he is or whatever crime he committed. As long as there is a warrant, we really have a protocol... So, if an additional warrant of arrest comes out, we are always ready to enforce and to serve the warrant,” he added. Dela Rosa, who served as Duterte’s police chief, was the enforcer of the drug war that killed thousands of people – around 6,000 based on PNP data or as high as 12,000 based on estimates of human rights organizations. On its website, the ICC already listed Dela Rosa as a defendant “at large.” In February, Dela Rosa, Senator Bong Go, and six others were identified as “co-perpetrators” in the crimes against humanity trial of Duterte, documents released by ICC prosecutors showed. Other individuals also identified as indirect co-perpetrators were former PNP officials Oscar Albayalde, Vicente Danao, Camilo Cascolan, and Isidro Lapeña, as well as former NBI director Dante Gierran and former Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre.
By Joel E. Zurbano
US Green Card seekers must apply from home countries
By Pot Chavez THE International Criminal Court (ICC) Trial Chamber III ruled that former President Rodrigo Duterte will stay in detention, saying he remains a significant flight risk despite the defense’s argument regarding his health condition. “ The Chamber finds that the confirmation of charges against the Accused constitutes a change in circumstances,” the decision read. “In this regard, the Chamber observes that it is this Court’s consistent and longstanding jurisprudence that the confirmation of charges increases the risk that an accused may abscond and is therefore not a change in circumstances that militates in favor of conditional release, but rather one supporting continued detention,”it added. The Appeals Chamber earlier found that “the medical condition of the detained person may be a rea-
Senator Sherwin Gatchalian
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son for a [chamber] to grant interim release with conditions” and that “the ill health of a detained person may be a factor in the exercise of its discretion.” However, the Trial Chamber noted that Duterte was examined by three court-appointed medical experts, whose reports do not contain any information that warrants modifying his detention. The former president’s words were also used against him: “Moreover, the Chamber notes that, as the Prosecution avers, the Accused refused to attend the confirmation hearing, stating inter alia that ‘I do not recognize the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court over my person.’” “Such a statement demonstrates at its lowest that the Accused will not comply with any orders that might be made in respect of a release from custody.” Turn to A4
PH embassy tells Pinoys in southern Africa region to defer travel amid Ebola outbreak By Charles Dantes Normal Level: 752 m Current level: 740.44 m
CRITICALLY LOW WATER LEVEL. Ambuklao Dam’s main tributary, Agno River, is seen with low water levels. The state weather bureau earlier identified Ambuklao dam and five others – Angat, San Roque, Pantabangan, La Mesa and Ipo as having ‘critically low’ water levels due to the lack of sufficient rainfall in the past few weeks. Dave Leprozo
THE Philippine Embassy in Pretoria on Saturday advised Filipinos in the Southern Africa region to defer nonessential travel to areas affected by Ebola outbreaks in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda until international health authorities confirm the virus has been contained. In a travel advisory, the embassy said Filipino citizens in the region should remain vigilant amid the outbreaks, noting that Ebola is transmitted through contact with infectious body fluids such as saliva, sweat, and blood.
While no Ebola cases have been reported or suspected in Southern Africa, the embassy warned that Zambia faces an elevated risk because of its proximity to affected areas and cross-border economic migration. “Filipinos in Zambia are urged to practice heightened vigilance and monitor local public health alerts,” the advisory read. The embassy also assured overseas Filipinos that it is prepared to provide consular support and assistance to nationals who may need help during the health situation. Turn to A4
Iran weighs peace proposal, hits ‘excessive demands’ of US
Comelec to help Ombudsman on plunder raps vs. Marcoleta
PH heading toward care crisis with higher demand—PIDS
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NEWS / A3
GOOD LIFE / C4
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