Gov't should not negotiate with armed group protecting Bato, says Gatchalian

Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday rejected the prospect of the government negotiating with an armed group reportedly protecting Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, saying such an arrangement could undermine the authority of the state.

Gatchalian said the government should not negotiate with armed groups, particularly those considered terrorist or criminal organizations, and questioned why an unauthorized group possessing firearms appeared to have the capacity to negotiate with authorities.

"Hindi tama 'yun dahil gobyerno hindi dapat nakikipag-negotiate sa arm group. Lalo na kung itong arm group ay terrorist group,” Gatchalian said in an interview.

“Parang lumalabas itong arm group mas matapang pa kaysa sa gobyerno,” he added.

He said the government should not allow armed groups to exercise such influence, arguing that individuals or organizations carrying firearms without authorization should not be treated as legitimate negotiating parties.

The Senate chief also called on law enforcement agencies to ensure that any operation to arrest Dela Rosa would not result in violence, stressing that the safety of both the senator and the arresting personnel must be prioritized.

“Importante ligtas siya at ligtas din 'yung enforcement agencies natin dahil 'yung ganitong mga operations ay delikado ito,” Gatchalian said.

He warned that violence could occur during the operation, citing reports from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“Lalo na doon sa mga naririnig kong news reports, lalo na galing sa DILG, mukhang may possibility na karahasan ang pwedeng mangyari. 'Yun naman ang ayaw nating mangyari dito,” he said.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier disclosed that an armed group was allegedly protecting Dela Rosa in Mindanao. Remulla said authorities were seeking a peaceful resolution to avoid a potentially violent confrontation.

The DILG announced a P50-million reward on 23 October for information that would lead to Dela Rosa's arrest.

However, the Law Firm of Torreon & Partners, which represents Dela Rosa, questioned the legal basis for the bounty, arguing that the government had yet to identify a Philippine court warrant or criminal case authorizing the senator's arrest.

“A reward system built on Philippine warrants cannot be used for a person who has no Philippine warrant,” the firm said.

The Senate minority bloc had separately appealed to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and concerned agencies to pursue dialogue with Dela Rosa's legal team, offering to help facilitate a peaceful resolution that would respect due process and protect lives.

Dela Rosa is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration's anti-drug campaign. He has remained out of public view since leaving the Senate on 14 May.