DILG considering reward for Bato dela Rosa's arrest

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is considering offering a reward for information that could lead to the arrest of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

“Puwede, considering that, but apparently it's not effective yet,” DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said in an ambush interview.

(Maybe, considering that, but apparently it's not effective yet.)

Remulla said police operations to locate Dela Rosa are ongoing across the country.

“We have 7,467 islands. We have 225,000 policemen. We’re disposing of all our resources para mahanap siya. You have to understand hindi madali ito. We have 40,000 plus barangays to search,” he said.

(We have 7,467 islands. We have 225,000 policemen. We're disposing of all our resources to find him. You have to understand it's not easy. We have 40,000 plus barangays to search.)

“There are always leads. But nine out of 10, the leads naman are just leads. Just be patient,” he added.

Remulla appealed to Dela Rosa to surrender voluntarily, assuring that his rights would be respected.

“Please surrender. Gagalangin ka namin. Your rights will be observed. But, huwag na natin patagalin ito kasi baka umuwi pa ito sa hindi mo gusto,” he said.

(Please surrender. We will respect you. Your rights will be observed. But, let's not prolong this because it might lead to something you do not like.)

“So mabuti na mag-surrender ka na. We will treat you as an officer and a gentleman and we will follow all due process para sayo,” he added.

(So better surrender. We will treat you as an officer and a gentleman and we will follow all due process for you.)

Asked if the police conducted an operation in Dela Rosa’s ancestral house in Davao del Sur, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said all of the senator’s possible whereabouts will be checked.

“Titignan natin lahat ng mga whereabouts, known address, as well as yung the usual na pinupunta niya. And so, including the address where his firearms are located,” Nartatez said.

(We will look at all the whereabouts, known addresses, as well as the usual ones he goes to. And so, including the address where his firearms are located.)

“Nakipag-negotiate tayo for them to turn in the firearms,” he added.

(We negotiated for them to turn in the firearms.)

ICC arrest warrant

The International Criminal Court (ICC) earlier confirmed that the tribunal has issued an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa in connection with the killings under the war on drugs.

While the Senate building was on lockdown and Dela Rosa was under the protective custody of the upper chamber on May 13, gunshots were heard inside the building of the legislative body.

Hours later, before dawn on May 14, Dela Rosa left the Senate.

Tracker teams have been deployed to locate and arrest the senator.

On Wednesday, the PNP said it revoked Dela Rosa’s firearms licenses.

However, Dela Rosa’s camp on Thursday said they will file an appeal with the PNP over its decision to revoke his firearms license, according to his lawyer Atty. Israelito Torreon. — RSJ, GMA News