PNP tracker teams deployed for Bato dela Rosa's arrest

Tracker teams have been deployed to locate and arrest Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“[PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.] also confirmed that tracker teams have been mobilized in coordination with the [Department of Justice] and the [National Bureau of Investigation] to locate and serve the arrest warrant against the senator,” the PNP said in a statement released on Friday.

EXPLAINER: What are tracker teams?

Nartatez said all concerned police units have been directed to strictly observe operational procedures and respect for human rights in carrying out the arrest order.

“The PNP operates strictly under the rule of law. I have issued clear instructions to all local and specialized units that any enforcement action concerning Senator Dela Rosa must be executed with absolute transparency, full adherence to police operational procedures, and the utmost respect for human rights,” he said.

WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR: Where is Bato Dela Rosa?

Nartatez said that the PNP will enforce the arrest warrant “professionally” and “without political bias.”

“We will perform our legal duty professionally and without political bias, ensuring that the process remains dignified and secure for all parties involved,” Nartatez said.

“Our mandate is clear but I am emphasizing to our personnel that operational discipline is paramount. There will be no shortcuts and every movement will be heavily aligned with existing protocols to protect constitutional rights and maintain public trust,” he added.

Once arrested, Nartatez said Dela Rosa would be turned over to the Department of Justice, which ordered the senator's arrest.

On Thursday, Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said the PNP and NBI have been directed to arrest Dela Rosa amid the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with the Duterte administration's drug war.

No request

Nartatez, meanwhile, said it has not received any formal request for protective custody from Dela Rosa.

“As of now, wala siyang hinihiling na protective custody and or whether officially,” Nartatez said in an ambush interview.

(As of now, he is not requesting protective custody officially.)

He added that the matter of protective custody for the former police chief has not been officially raised to authorities.

He noted that seeking protective custody could be interpreted as a form of surrender.

Dela Rosa served as PNP chief during the term of former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is now detained in The Hague, Netherlands.

The PNP earlier said they have been alerted to be on the lookout and to intensify intelligence monitoring on all exit points, including the southern backdoor, regarding Dela Rosa's possible whereabouts.

Nartatez said their coordination with the Bureau of Immigration revealed that there was no record of travel of Dela Rosa outside the country as of Thursday.

'Dedicated team'

NBI Director Melvin Matibag on Friday also said that a dedicated team is already tracking and locating Dela Rosa.

"Sasabihin ko lang talaga (all I can say is), DILG, we have a dedicated team, we have an ongoing operation to locate Senator Bato," he said in a separate press briefing.

Matibag said Dela Rosa will be turned over to the Justice Department once arrested.

“Once the law enforcement got hold of Senator Bato, na aresto siya, ang next stop namin, we’ll turn him over to the Department of Justice,” he said.

(Once law enforcement got hold of Senator Bato, once he's arrested, the next stop is to turn him over to the DOJ.)

Meanwhile, Matibag said the Bureau of Immigration has no records indicating Dela Rosa has left the country.

“I have to appeal to Senator Bato, baka nanonood siya, eh mas maganda siguro, sumuko na lang siya. Kasing dalawang bagay naman yan eh: Arestuhin ka o sumuko ka,” he said.

(I have to appeal to Senator Bato, in case he is watching, that perhaps it would be better for him to just surrender because there are really only two possibilities: either you get arrested or you surrender.) —with reports from Joahna Lei Casilao/ VAL, GMA News