The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Tuesday, May 26, that it expects the Philippine National Police (PNP) to immediately strip fugitive Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa of his firearm privileges as the manhunt for his arrest continues.
Dela Rosa, wanted for crimes against humanity in connection with his role in the country’s deadly war on drugs, remains in hiding following a court-issued arrest warrant.
Acting Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida stressed that the PNP should have nullified the senator’s gun permits as early as Monday, May 25, given his refusal to surrender to authorities.
“Having a license to gun ownership is not a right but a privilege. Basically, there’s an arrest warrant and I expected that the PNP should have done that yesterday,” (May 25), Vida stated during a press briefing.
The urgency stems from intelligence reports indicating that Dela Rosa allegedly owns over 100 firearms, prompting the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to officially classify the former top cop as “armed and dangerous.” Observers have also raised alarms that Dela Rosa’s massive arsenal poses a direct threat to the law enforcers currently tracking him down.
Vida expressed intentions to coordinate directly with PNP Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez to verify the exact number of firearms registered under the senator’s name.
“I will talk to General Nartatez about that, and I expect that it should be revoked the soonest possible time,” Vida added.
On the other hand, newly appointed PNP Spokesperson Col. Allen Rae Co clarified on Monday that the police force has yet to receive a formal directive to cancel the fugitive’s licenses.
“The PNP has not yet received any formal request from the National Bureau of Investigation regarding the revocation of the firearms licenses of Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa. Upon receipt of such a request, we will evaluate and act on the same in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 10591 and its Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations, swiftly and within the bounds of the law,” Co countered.
Dela Rosa briefly surfaced at the Senate on May 11 to take part in the successful ouster of former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who has since transitioned to Senate Minority Leader. The fugitive senator managed to evade authorities and flee the Senate premises following a gunfire incident in the early morning of May 14.
While Dela Rosa has successfully avoided capture for nearly two weeks, Vida noted that intelligence indicators suggest the lawmaker is still hiding within Philippine territory.