PNP intensifies ‘Bato’ hunt as wife appeals to allies
The police believe Dela Rosa remains in the Philippines but declined to disclose his last known whereabouts.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has formed dedicated tracking teams to arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, as his wife appealed to his former allies to stop using him for their political interests.
The manhunt intensified after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced a P50-million reward for information leading to Dela Rosa’s arrest and gave him one week to surrender voluntarily.
Dela Rosa is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the drug war under former President Rodrigo Duterte. He served as Duterte’s first national police chief and has denied involvement in unlawful killings.
PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Allen Rae Co said the police stood by the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s position on the legality of the reward, despite objections from Dela Rosa’s camp.
A task force headed by PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Lt. Gen. Joseph Wilson Lopez, with personnel from the Special Action Force, is leading the operation under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to intensify the search.
Co said the police preferred a peaceful arrest and welcomed efforts by minority senators to serve as intermediaries for Dela Rosa’s possible surrender. Authorities have yet to determine the procedure to follow if he is arrested, including whether he would be brought directly to the ICC.
AFP ready
The police believe Dela Rosa remains in the Philippines but declined to disclose his last known whereabouts. Co also said fewer than 100 firearms associated with the senator had yet to be surrendered after their registrations or licenses were revoked.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said it was ready to assist the police with intelligence gathering and operational support if requested. AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the PNP remained in charge of the law enforcement operation.
Malacañang also urged Dela Rosa to surrender. Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the senator, as a former police chief and incumbent lawmaker, should respect the law rather than set an example for people evading arrest warrants.
She rejected the argument by Dela Rosa’s lawyer, Israelito Torreon, that the P50-million reward was a waste of public funds and that authorities lacked a local arrest warrant.
‘Personal agenda’
Meanwhile, Nancy dela Rosa appealed to her husband’s former powerful allies to stop pursuing their own political interests at his expense.
“I just pray that the powerful few who were also his friends would come to realize he is not their enemy nor the enemy of this state,” she wrote on Facebook.
“Please do not use him for your personal agenda. He has helped you in countless ways and he has done you no wrong personally. He needs your help, not your persecution,” she added.