The government is considering offering a reward for information that could lead to the arrest of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who remains out of public view following the issuance of a warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla disclosed the possibility on Friday, May 29, as authorities continue their nationwide search for the former Philippine National Police chief.
During an ambush interview at Camp Karingal in Quezon City, Remulla urged Dela Rosa to voluntarily surrender and assured him that authorities would respect his rights.
“Please surrender. Gagalangin ka namin. Your rights will be observed. But, huwag na natin patagalin ito kasi baka umuwi pa ito sa hindi mo gusto,” Remulla said.
“So mabuti na mag-surrender ka na. We will treat you as an officer and a gentleman and we will follow all due process para sa’yo,” he added.
Dela Rosa is being sought by the ICC over allegations tied to the deadly anti-drug campaign carried out during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
As the country’s top police official at the start of Duterte’s term, Dela Rosa oversaw “Operation Double Barrel,” the government’s controversial war on drugs that led to thousands of deaths nationwide.
The senator briefly appeared at the Senate on May 11 before reportedly going back into hiding after leaving the premises in the early hours of May 14, complicating efforts by authorities to serve the international warrant.
Remulla said the Philippine National Police has mobilized its full force in the continuing manhunt, although investigators have yet to determine Dela Rosa’s whereabouts.
“We have 7,467 islands. We have 225,000 policemen. We are deploying all our resources para mahanap siya,” the DILG secretary said.
He also appealed for public understanding, noting that tracking down a fugitive on a nationwide scale requires extensive intelligence work and verification of leads.
“You have to understand, hindi madali ito. We have 40,000-plus barangays to search,” Remulla said.