Palace to Bato dela Rosa: Surrender, don’t be a role model for fugitives

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Tuesday told Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa not to set an example for other fugitives, as it once again urged the senator to surrender.

The call came after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said last week that dela Rosa was considered “armed and dangerous” and that a P50-million bounty had been offered for his capture.

READ: P50-M bounty for capture of ‘armed and dangerous’ Bato Dela Rosa – DILG

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“Dahil dati rin siyang nagsilbi na PNP [Philippine National Police] Chief, huwag siyang maging ehemplo, huwag siyang maging modelo sa mga taong mayroong kinakaharap na warrant of arrest at magtatago,” said Palace Press Officer Claire Castro at a briefing in Cagayan de Oro City.

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(Since he also served as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, he should not set an example or serve as a role model for people who have arrest warrants against them and choose to go into hiding.)

She also said, “Bilang dating miyembro ng kapulisan, siya po ang dapat na unang gumagalang sa batas, unang nagpapatupad ng batas lalung-lalo na siya ay senador. So, huwag siyang maging ehemplo para sa ibang, sabihin nating mga pugante na magtago dahil siyang gagawing idolo.”

(As a former member of the police force, he should be the first to respect and uphold the law, especially since he is a senator. He should not serve as a role model for other fugitives who might choose to hide, only to idolize him.)

Citing a previous statement from Remulla, the Palace official warned of a “no mercy” policy in the arrest of the senator.

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READ: Palace: Bato Dela Rosa arrest rumor diversion from COA findings

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant of arrest against dela Rosa for his role as the national police chief during then-President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody anti-drug campaign from 2016 to 2018.

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He was named a co-perpetrator in the ICC’s investigation into crimes against humanity. Dela Rosa went into hiding after reappearing at the Senate last May 11.

P50 million bounty

Also during the briefing, Castro clarified that the P50 million bounty for dela Rosa will be sourced from the intelligence funds of the Department of the Interior and Local Government and PNP.

This move, however, was opposed by the law firm representing dela Rosa.

“Every peso of a government reward must answer one question – for the arrest of whom, in what case, by order of what court?” Torreon and Partners said in a Facebook post.

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The defense team also pointed out that the DILG’s own reward protocol requires a valid Philippine arrest warrant and a designated case number, before a person can be listed as a Most Wanted Person. /jpv