PNP stands firm on arresting Bato dela Rosa as ultimatum expires

MANILA, Philippines —The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday reaffirmed that it would not back down and remained ready to take appropriate measures to arrest Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as his one-week ultimatum expired on Oct. 30.

“Let me declare, hindi tayo uurong sa ating tungkulin,” Lt. Gen. Wilson Joseph Lopez, PNP deputy chief for administration, said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

(Let me declare, we will not back down from our duty.)

Article continues after this advertisement

The PNP earlier gave dela Rosa a week to surrender last Oct. 23 after the Department of the Interior and Local Government placed a P50-million bounty for his arrest.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

READ: PNP to Sen. Bato dela Rosa: You have one week to surrender

“Let me be clear, the PNP’s objective remains clear, and that is to arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” de la Rosa,” Lopez stressed.

“And we’ll take appropriate actions and legal actions to implement this one. The PNP is determined to bring the matter to a lawful resolution,” he added.

When asked if the senator remains in the country, Lopez confirmed that dela Rosa has not fled abroad.

Article continues after this advertisement

The senator is subject to an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court as a co-perpetrator in then-President Rodrigo Duterte’s crimes against humanity case in connection with the anti-drug campaign.

Dela Rosa was the Duterte administration’s national police chief from 2016 to 2018. /jpv