Remulla: Talks ongoing to arrest Bato dela Rosa, warns operation may turn deadly

The authorities are closer to catching Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa, who is wanted on account of a warrant of arrest for charges of crimes against humanity from the International Criminal Court, even as talks are ongoing to take him into custody, Interior Secretary Juanito Victor "Jonvic" Remulla said.

Remulla said many lives may be lost if law enforcement goes on "full operation" to arrest the senator.

Asked about the chances of the police capturing Dela Rosa, Remulla said, "Yes, lumalaki na."

(Yes, it's getting more likely.)

Remulla indicated the importance of negotiations to bring in Dela Rosa.

“If we go on a full operation, maraming mamamatay (many people will be killed)... because of the nature of the operations. A lot of people will be put in jeopardy, so the negotiations are ongoing, we’re… and we will smoke him out sooner or later,” Remulla said.

Remulla made the remarks after the Department of the Interior and Local Government presented before the Senate Committee on Finance its proposed budget for 2027.

The Philippine National Police earlier said that 20 firearms that were linked to Dela Rosa have been surrendered.

Asked if this was an indication of negotiations, Remulla said he could not comment about it.

“Iwan inyo muna sa amin 'yun kasi it’ll jeopardize the operations,” Remulla said. (Leave it to us because it might jeopardize the mission.)

Dela Rosa has been issued an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) in relation to the drug war, which killed at least 6,000 people during the term of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte is already detained at the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, for crimes against humanity. —Jean Mangaluz and Ian Cruz/NB, GMA News