SEN. RONALDO “BATO” DELA ROSA- PHOTO FROM RONALD BATO DELA ROSA/ FACEBOOK
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Friday it tapped local authorities to monitor Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa after reports of an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said the senator had been seen in six locations in the last three weeks without naming the areas.
DILG Undersecretary Donnie Puno said the agency wanted to be “steps ahead” amid talk of an ICC warrant.
Puno said local officials had begun checking the senator’s whereabouts even if he was not considered a fugitive.
He noted that the senator had not been seen in the Senate in recent weeks.
Dela Rosa has been absent since Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla affirmed the existence of an ICC warrant over drug war killings under President Rodrigo Duterte.
Dela Rosa served as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief from 2016 to 2018.
Remulla said no formal ICC warrant had been received by the DILG, the Department of Justice, or the Department of Foreign Affairs.
Puno said a formal warrant would allow Dela Rosa to seek remedies before local courts under a recent Supreme Court ruling.
Puno also said the PNP would comply with any lawful order despite Dela Rosa being a former police chief.
