MNLF denies protecting Bato dela Rosa

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The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) denied speculations that it is coddling embattled Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is believed to be under the protection of an “armed and powerful group.”

In a statement posted by the office of MNLF Chairman Muslimin Sema on Facebook on Sunday, the organization said that it has “no established formal relationship” with dela Rosa, and that its founder, Nur Misuari, is only a known “friend” of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

“The claim that the MNLF may be protecting him is speculation, not a confirmed fact,” the organization said.

“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,” it added.

The MNLF, however, cited reports that say that its organization is “fragmented” and that whether the Misuari faction would or could shield dela Rosa from arrest is “uncertain.”

It also cited claims that dela Rosa and Misuari may personally know each other, considering the latter’s ties with Duterte.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government has raised a P50-million reward for the arrest of dela Rosa, who according to Interior Secretary Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla is now considered "armed and dangerous."

Remulla earlier said authorities were also negotiating with a group protecting the senator to secure his surrender and prevent a potentially violent confrontation.

The MNLF said that dela Rosa only publicly discussed their organization mainly in the context of conflict and peacebuilding.

“As a student in Marawi, he experienced fighting between government forces and the MNLF, and he has supported programs benefiting former combatants and their children,” the MNLF said.

“He has also advocated faster integration of qualified MILF and MNLF members into the PNP and AFP, indicating policy-level engagement rather than a personal or organizational tie,” it added.

GMA News Online reached out to the office of dela Rosa for a comment and will update this story once it responds.

Dela Rosa has been issued an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in relation to the drug war of Duterte, which supposedly killed thousands of people. He was chief of the Philippine National Police at the time the war on drugs was implemented.

Duterte is already detained at the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, while awaiting his crimes against humanity trial. —KG, GMA News