PMA alumni told to stay nonpartisan after Bato's appeal

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May 14, 2026 | 5:29pm

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Military Academy alumni were told by their association on Thursday, May 14, to stay non-partisan on Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa's public call to help him avoid arrest under an International Criminal Court warrant.

The statement from the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association Inc. came a day after Dela Rosa publicly appealed to his fellow Cavaliers for "support," singing the PMA hymn before reporters and pleading with his "mistah" not to surrender him to foreigners.

"Among Cavaliers there may be differing views and perspectives on the matter, including those who may stand on different sides of the issue in the performance of their respective duties and convictions," retired Gen. Ricardo A. David Jr., chair of the association and a member of PMA Class 1977, said in the statement. 

"Such differences, however, should never diminish our mutual respect as brothers in the Corps," he added.

Dela Rosa, a member of PMA Sinagtala Class of 1986 and former Philippine National Police chief, had been holed up inside the Senate since May 11 under protective custody. 

On Monday, he fled from the National Bureau of Investigation's agents who were attempting to serve an ICC warrant of arrest. 

The warrant, kept under seal since November 2025, charges dela Rosa with crimes against humanity over the anti-drug campaign that killed thousands of Filipinos during his stint as former President Rodrigo Duterte's police chief.

On Wednesday, his third day at the Senate compound, Dela Rosa sang lines from the PMA hymn during an ambush interview and called on his Cavaliers, soldiers and police to back him.

“I am not appealing for violent support, I am appealing for peaceful support … that hopefully you will not betray me to foreigners,” Dela Rosa said in mixed English and Filipino. “That is my appeal to my comrades, the soldiers and police officers, who are placed in the same boat.”

In its statement Thursday, the PMA alumni association said it "remains guided by the principles of justice, due process, respect for the rule of law and the independence of our institutions."

David urged members to uphold "honor, integrity, professionalism and unity" while avoiding "divisive rhetoric, personal attacks and premature judgment."

"Our brotherhood must remain stronger than our differences," he said. "Let us continue to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of the PMA ideals we have sworn to uphold."

The statement did not name the controversy involving Dela Rosa or mention the ICC.

The PMA alumni association has several members in the top ranks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the national police and other agencies.