The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has firmly denied claims that it is sheltering Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who faces an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant over alleged crimes against humanity during the Duterte administration’s drug war.
The denial was issued after speculation surfaced that the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief might be hiding with a powerful armed faction in Mindanao. The PNP earlier urged Dela Rosa to turn himself in, warning that his continued elusiveness puts police officers at risk during ongoing manhunt operations.
In an October 30 statement, the MNLF Information Committee dismissed rumors linking the group to the senator’s current whereabouts.
“The claim that the MNLF may be protecting him is speculation, not a confirmed fact,” the group stressed.
While acknowledging that Dela Rosa has personal and political links to figures tied to the organization—notably through the alliance between former President Rodrigo Duterte and MNLF founder Nur Misuari—the group maintained that these connections do not imply membership, operational partnership, or active protection.
“So, the accurate answer is: Dela Rosa appears to have personal and political connections to figures associated with the MNLF, especially through Duterte’s relationship with Nur Misuari, but there is no verified evidence that he is an MNLF member, ally in an operational sense, or currently being protected by the group,” the statement added.
The coalition also pointed out that Dela Rosa previously supported initiatives to accelerate the integration of qualified former combatants from both the MNLF and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) into state security forces, describing his actions as policy-level engagement rather than a personal alliance.
Meanwhile, security forces continue their search for the senator.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously announced a ₱50-million reward for information regarding Dela Rosa’s location, labeling him “armed and dangerous” as authorities ramp up pressure for his surrender.