No need for P50-M bounty if Dela Rosa just surrendered- Castro

MANILA, Philippines—Palace press officer Claire Castro on Saturday said there would have been no need for a P50-million bounty for the capture of Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa if no one helped him leave the Senate premises when he reappeared last May.

That was her response to a statement issued by senators from the minority bloc, who expressed their support for Dela Rosa and urged the government to pursue a “dialogue” with him.

READ: Hunt for Bato dela Rosa sets 1-week ultimatum, P50-M bounty

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“Kung walang nagplanong magpaangkas o magpasakay ng libre sa pagtakas ni Sen. Bato mula sa gusali ng Senado at isinuko na lang sana siya kay [Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla] ay hindi ito hahantong sa ganitong paglalagay ng P50M bounty sa paghuli kay Sen. Bato,” Castro said.

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(If no one planned to give him a lift or a free ride to escape from the Senate building, and just surrendered him to [Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla] then it would not have led to this placing of a P50 million bounty for his capture.)

“Walang dapat na masayang na oras sa pagpapatupad ng batas…  Mas mabilis at agresibong pagkilos ng mga pulis, yan ng utos ng Pangulo. Ipatupad ang batas at hulihin at dapat na hulihin,” Castro also said in a message to reporters.

(No time should be wasted in implementing the law. The president has ordered for the faster and more aggressive action from the police. Enforce the law and arrest whoever needs to be arrested.)

Castro called on Dela Rosa to stop resisting because “our police force will not back down.”

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She stressed that “no one should die when performing their duty” as part of the police to arrest Dela Rosa.”

READ: Remulla: Negotiations underway with Bato dela Rosa’s ‘protectors’

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“Tumatakbo ang bawat minuto, dapat mas mabilis na pagkilos. Suportado ng pangulo ang hakbang ng [Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice] at mga law enforcers.”

(With the passing of every minute, there should be quicker action. The president is in support of the steps by the Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice and other law enforcers.)

Earlier, the minority bloc issued a statement noting that Dela Rosa “has publicly stated that he is prepared to face accusations and charges before Philippine courts” and urged the government to “consider his stated willingness as a basis for dialogue.”

The minority senators said they are “ready to help work out a lawful process through which the allegations can be heard and answered, with fairness to those seeking justice and a full opportunity for him to defend himself.”

Dela Rosa is a member of the minority bloc led by Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano. Its other members include Senators Pia Cayetano, Christopher “Bong” Go, Camille Villar, Jinggoy Estrada, Loren Legarda, Rodante Marcoleta, Imee Marcos, Bong Go and Robin Padilla

They issued the statement after Remulla announced in a press briefing on Friday that Dela Rosa is now considered armed and dangerous and placed a P50-million bounty for his capture.

Following Remulla’s announcement, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. then said Dela Rosa “has one week to surrender” and that they are currently preparing for such a scenario.

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The International Criminal Court (ICC) had previously issued a warrant of arrest against Dela Rosa for his role as the PNP chief during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody anti-drug campaign from 2016 to 2018. /gsg