Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa – Photo courtesy of Bato Dela Rosa/Facebook.
National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag said Wednesday that Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was still believed to be in the Philippines as authorities continued searching for him.
Matibag said the NBI had not arrested the senator, noting that any apprehension would have been immediately reported to his office.
He added that surveillance operations were ongoing and remained the basis for the bureau’s assessment that dela Rosa had not left the country.
The NBI chief also said the bureau would verify reports that circulated Tuesday claiming the senator had already been taken into custody.
Dela Rosa remains at large under an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court over his alleged role in the anti-illegal drug campaign during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
His lawyer, Israelito Torreon, earlier said he had received no information that his client had been arrested.
Torreon also said he had not communicated with dela Rosa since speaking with him about two hours after the senator left the Senate building on May 14.
The NBI said the manhunt and surveillance operations would continue.
