By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday that its pursuit of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa remains active, rejecting any suggestion that efforts to enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him have weakened.
PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co said authorities would continue working to serve the warrant, even as Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has disclosed negotiations involving individuals described as dela Rosa’s “protectors.”
“It will take as long as it will take,” Co said during a press briefing at Camp Crame.
“Our efforts did not wane, will not wane, and we will not deviate from serving the warrant of arrest,” he added.
The ICC issued a warrant for dela Rosa last November in connection with his alleged involvement in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs. The warrant was made public only in May.
Remulla said Tuesday that government representatives were negotiating with dela Rosa’s supposed protectors, whom he described only as “powerful people.”
Dela Rosa’s lawyer, Israelito Torreon, has denied having personal knowledge of either the reported negotiations or the identities of the individuals allegedly protecting the senator.
Co said the police operation to locate dela Rosa remains ongoing but declined to disclose additional details, citing operational considerations.
The police official also disclosed that 91 of the 117 firearms registered to dela Rosa remain unaccounted for.
The Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) has been coordinating with dela Rosa’s family for the surrender of the weapons, Co said.
“Our FEO is continuously coordinating with the family for the surrender of the guns. Legal police action will be initiated,” he said.
The PNP revoked dela Rosa’s firearms license and firearm registrations in June as authorities intensified efforts to locate him.
Dela Rosa was last publicly seen leaving the Senate premises in the early hours of May 14, following a shooting incident inside the chamber. He was reportedly dropped off in Makati City afterward.
Remulla has previously said that dela Rosa’s last known location was in Mindanao.
The PNP, meanwhile, maintained that its efforts to locate the senator and execute the arrest warrant will continue.
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