Intent to nab dela Rosa not waning amid ‘negotiations’ – PNP

Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa faces the media on August 2, 2022 to express his support to the decision of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. not to rejoin the International Criminal Court. (File photo from Albert Calvelo and Bibo Nueva España / Senate PRIB) MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) maintained that its efforts to arrest Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa were not waning despite purported ongoing negotiations with “protectors” for his surrender. “It will take as long as it will take,” PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co said in a press briefing in Camp Crame on Wednesday. “Our efforts did not wane, will not wane, and we will not deviate from serving the warrant of arrest,” he insisted. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Remulla: Negotiations underway with Bato dela Rosa’s ‘protectors’ Dela Rosa was ordered arrested by the International Criminal Court in a warrant issued last November. The warrant was only publicized in May and it was in connection with his alleged involvement in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against illegal drugs. On Tuesday, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla said that the government was in negotiations with dela Rosa’s “protectors,” whom he only identified as “powerful people.” The senator’s legal counsel, Israelito Torreon, however, denied any personal knowledge of the supposed negotiations nor the protectors. Article continues after this advertisement For its part, Co said the PNP’s search for dela Rosa are continuous, but the spokesperson refused to provide further details, citing operational matters. He further noted that 91 of the 117 firearms registered to dela Rosa are still unaccounted for. Article continues after this advertisement “Our FEO is continuously coordinating with the family for the surrender of the guns. Legal police action will be initiated,” Co explained. The PNP FEO revoked dela Rosa’s firearms license and gun registrations in June as part of the bid to capture him. Dela Rosa was last seen leaving the Senate premises and was supposedly dropped off in Makati City in the early hours of May 14, after a shooting in the chamber. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. Remulla previously said dela Rosa’s last known location was in Mindanao. /apl