PNP stands by Remulla's bounty on Bato

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday stood by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla’s position on the legality of the P50-million bounty for information leading to the arrest of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, following questions from the senator’s camp about its legal basis.

During a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP Public Information Office chief Police Col. Allen Rae Co acknowledged that different parties may have their own legal interpretations but said the police would defer to the position of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“We stand with the pronouncement of the SILG. Everybody is entitled to their own opinion as well as the legal interpretation, but we stand with the SILG as to the legality of this bounty,” Co said, referring to the secretary of the interior and local government.

The DILG earlier announced a P50-million bounty for information that could lead to Dela Rosa’s arrest, making him the subject of a nationwide manhunt.

Co said the PNP had formed a dedicated task force to track down the senator following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s order to intensify the search.

“Acting on the orders from no less than the President himself to intensify the manhunt for Senator Dela Rosa, nagtayo tayo ng mga dedicated tracker teams for the purpose, and the full force of the PNP is in play para to bring the justice within the folds of the law,” Co said.

The task force is headed by PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Lt. Gen. Joseph Wilson Lopez and includes personnel from the Special Action Force.

One-week window for surrender

The PNP has given Dela Rosa a one-week window to surrender voluntarily, which began Friday and is expected to end this week.

Co said the period was intended to give the senator an opportunity to submit to the legal process peacefully and with dignity.

“’Yung one week na binigay for him to be able to surrender ay ito ay sign of goodwill for him to be able to end this with dignity. Of course, the PNP always prefers to have this a peaceful resolution,” he said.

The police would also welcome efforts by minority senators who have offered to act as intermediaries to facilitate Dela Rosa’s possible surrender. Co said the PNP would coordinate with them should they proceed with the initiative.

Asked whether Dela Rosa would be taken directly to the International Criminal Court (ICC) if arrested, Co said authorities would still need to determine the appropriate procedure.

PNP warns of potentially dangerous encounter

Co said the intensified manhunt also aims to protect everyone involved, including Dela Rosa, police personnel and the public.

He clarified that warnings about a possible bloody encounter were intended to highlight the risk of violence during the operation, rather than suggest that thousands of people would literally be killed.

“It’s not literal naman na 10,000 ang masasawi. The point that he is trying to make is potentially talaga very violent and dangerous ang pwedeng magiging encounter in the course of the arrest of the senator or executing the warrant of arrest,” Co said.

“We want to protect all parties involved or all parties concerned to avoid ‘yung potentially dangerous na encounter if ever na possible na mangyari,” he added.

Co said Dela Rosa’s classification as armed and dangerous would not mean police would use greater violence against him. Instead, the classification would influence the operational plan, the number of personnel deployed and the firepower needed to carry out the arrest.

He also disclosed that fewer than 100 firearms associated with Dela Rosa had yet to be surrendered following the revocation of their registrations or licenses.

Dela Rosa believed to remain in Philippines

Co said the latest information gathered by the PNP indicated that Dela Rosa was still believed to be in the country, although authorities continued to verify his last known whereabouts as part of standard manhunt procedures.

He declined to disclose whether authorities had already received information following the announcement of the bounty, saying it was premature to discuss the matter.

The PNP has yet to establish a dedicated hotline for individuals who may have information about the senator’s whereabouts. Co advised the public to approach local authorities, who could direct them to the appropriate office.

Wife appeals to Dela Rosa’s supporters

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa’s wife, Nancy, thanked her husband’s supporters in a social media post and appealed to those in power not to use the senator for their personal interests.

“Thank you for helping me realize that there are millions who still believe and support him,” she said.

“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 added.

Nancy also urged her husband’s former allies to help him rather than persecute him.

“Pls 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 said.