AFP ready to assist in dela Rosa manhunt if tapped

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is ready to assist police in the manhunt for Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa if requested, its spokesperson said on Tuesday.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the Philippine National Police (PNP) will lead any law enforcement operation involving dela Rosa.

“This is a law enforcement operation. So, the Philippine National Police is the frontline in this issue,” Padilla said during a press briefing.

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“Nonetheless, your Armed Forces of the Philippines – if there is a request to our end, then we will respond to it,” she noted.

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Padilla was asked about the possible involvement of the soldiers in the search for dela Rosa, amid concerns over armed resistance from groups allegedly protecting the senator.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier warned that an operation to arrest dela Rosa could result in as many as 10,000 deaths.

The government has offered a P50-million reward for dela Rosa’s capture, while the PNP has formed a special task force to track him down.

Padilla said the AFP had previously assisted law enforcement agencies in enforcing arrests.

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“So, whatever role the Armed Forces of the Philippines can play, we are very willing to assist—from intelligence gathering to operations that require the presence of the AFP,” she said.

Asked whether the military is aware of any armed group capable of mounting significant resistance against government forces, Padilla cited the declining strength of insurgent groups.

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“There is no group that is capable of conducting large and major atrocities in our country,” she said, referring to the AFP’s internal security assessments.

She, however, declined to speculate on the possibility of armed resistance or the number of casualties that could result from an operation against dela Rosa.

“For now, these are merely speculations on our side, like certain numbers and all,” Padilla said.

Asked whether the AFP will assist police in arresting dela Rosa, she replied: “In accordance to laws, we will be rendering our support.”

Dela Rosa is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s war against illegal drugs, which dela Rosa enforced, being the country’s police chief then.

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The senator has denied involvement in any illegal killings. /apl