Bato dela Rosa viral photo at cemetery was taken 3 years ago -- PNP

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The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday clarified that a photo circulating on social media supposedly showing Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa at a cemetery in Digos City was taken three years ago.

PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Allen Rae Co said the PNP's technical team verified that the photo was not recent.

“It was confirmed by our tech team that it was an old picture. Luma na po ito. And the one who himself or the owner of the picture himself commented na ito po ay three years ago na,” Co told reporters in an interview.

(It was confirmed by our tech team that it was an old picture. It's old. And the one who himself or the owner of the picture himself commented that it was three years ago.)

“Wala pong katotohanan na nagpakita siya,” he added.

(There is no truth that he showed up.)

Co said the PNP continues to receive numerous tips through its hotlines regarding the whereabouts of the senator.

According to him, authorities are validating every piece of information they receive but declined to disclose details, citing operational confidentiality.

He warned that individuals who deliberately provide misleading information or flood police hotlines with false reports could face criminal charges.

Co also urged the public to share only information from verified and official sources.

Dela Rosa is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with the crimes against humanity case arising from former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

The senator is accused of being a co-perpetrator in the alleged crimes.

Earlier, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) claimed that Dela Rosa was hiding in Mindanao under the protection of an “armed and powerful group,” but did not identify the group.

A P50-million reward is being offered for information that would lead to the senator’s arrest. — RSJ, GMA News