Malacañang stated on Tuesday, November 3, that law enforcement agencies must not hesitate to arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa despite his former position as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
With the senator still unaccounted for, the Palace stressed that police nationwide must uphold their mandate and enforce lawful orders, including the active arrest warrant against their former leader.
Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro acknowledged that Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla may have valid reasons to suspect that authorities are facing difficulties tracking down dela Rosa, given his background as a retired police general and a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).
However, Castro emphasized that the situation serves as a critical test for the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the PNP, and the entire police force.
“May valid warrant of arrest, so hindi puwede na kayo ang magdesisyon kung huhulihin ninyo o hindi ninyo huhulihin si Senator Bato dela Rosa hindi dahil siya ay dati ninyong naging chief,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
The official added that the ongoing manhunt puts the leadership of PNP Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. to the test.
When asked about Nartatez’s loyalty to the Republic given his shared PMA background with dela Rosa, Castro expressed confidence in the police chief’s integrity.
“Kilala po natin mismo si General Nartatez Jr. at alam natin na ang nangunguna sa kanya ay ang kanyang obligasyon, hindi ang kanyang pakikipagkaibigan o pakikipag-alyado sa sinuman dapat na arestuhin,” she noted.
“So, again, naniniwala tayo sa kagalingan ng ating kapulisan at alam po natin na tutuparin nila kung ano ang mandato na inihahain sa kanila. At sa pamamagitan ni General Nartatez Jr., ganiyan po ang nagiging impresyon sa ngayon, so huwag ninyong patunayan at huwag nating patunayan na tama sila,” Castro added.
According to Castro, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has not shown any frustration regarding the unsuccessful attempts to serve the warrant, provided that law enforcement agencies and the DILG continue to fulfill their duties.
“Sa ngayon ay hindi po nakikitaan nang anumang frustration ang ating Pangulo, hangga’t nakikita niya po na tumutupad sa tungkulin ang ating mga kapulisan at ang liderato ng DILG, so walang nakikitang frustration,” she stated.
However, Castro issued a warning that authorities would face serious consequences if investigations prove that police personnel are actively shielding the senator.
“Ang mahirap lamang po diyan kung talagang makikita at mapapatunayan na mismong mga pulis ang nagkakanlong para hindi mahuli si Senator Bato dela Rosa,” she warned.
On October 23, the DILG offered a ₱50-million reward for information leading to dela Rosa’s capture. The bounty followed the unsealing of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against the senator for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the bloody anti-narcotics campaign he spearheaded as PNP chief under former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Dela Rosa made a brief appearance at the Senate in May, where he was placed under protective custody, while the Supreme Court subsequently declined to block the enforcement of the ICC warrant.
Duterte is currently detained at the ICC facility in The Hague, Netherlands.