(Photo courtesy of PCO)
Malacañang on Tuesday urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to uphold its law enforcement responsibilities over personal loyalty to former police chief Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said police officers should not allow Dela Rosa’s former position or personal connections within the organization to influence their actions in implementing the arrest warrant.
“Ang inyong mandato ay magpatupad ng batas, magpapatupad ng ibinibigay sa inyong order nang naaayon naman sa konstitusyon,” Castro said during a Palace briefing.
She stressed that police personnel should not decide whether to arrest Dela Rosa based on their previous professional relationships with him.
“May valid warrant of arrest, so hindi puwede na kayo ang magdesisyon kung huhulihin ninyo o hindi ninyo huhulihin si Senator Bato dela Rosa hindi dahil siya ay dati ninyong naging chief,” she added.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier acknowledged that Dela Rosa’s connections as a former PNP chief and Philippine Military Academy alumnus could pose challenges to efforts to locate and arrest him.
Castro said Remulla’s remarks should serve as a challenge to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., and the entire police organization to carry out their responsibilities without favoritism.
She expressed confidence that Nartatez would prioritize his duties over personal relationships or alliances.
“Kilala po natin mismo si General Nartatez Jr. at alam natin na ang nangunguna sa kaniya ay ang kaniyang obligasyon, hindi ang kaniyang pakikipagkaibigan o pakikipag-alyado sa sinuman dapat na arestuhin,” Castro said.
The Palace official also urged police personnel to uphold the administration’s confidence in their ability to enforce the law.
Marcos not frustrated over ongoing manhunt
Asked whether President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had expressed frustration over the prolonged search for Dela Rosa, Castro said the President had not shown dissatisfaction as long as law enforcement agencies continued performing their duties.
However, she warned that serious concerns would arise if authorities discovered that police officers were deliberately protecting the senator from arrest.
“Ang mahirap lamang po diyan kung talagang makikita at mapapatunayan na mismong mga pulis ang nagkakanlong para hindi mahuli si Senator Bato dela Rosa,” she said.
The ICC issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa under seal on November 6, 2025, before making it public on May 11, 2026.
Dela Rosa served as PNP chief from July 2016 to April 2018, overseeing the national police during the early years of the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
On October 26, the DILG announced a Php 50-million reward for information leading to Dela Rosa’s capture and confirmed the formation of a dedicated task force to locate and arrest him.
Dela Rosa faces allegations of crimes against humanity in connection with the drug war. The allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
