(Photo courtesy of PNA)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed tracker teams across all regions to intensify its search for Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as the one-week deadline for his voluntary surrender expires Friday, October 30.
PNP deputy chief for administration Lt. Gen. Wilson Joseph Lopez, who heads the task force pursuing the senator, said regional tracking units have been activated alongside the national headquarters team to strengthen efforts to locate and arrest the former PNP chief.
“We [have already] created our task group in all regions aside from the task group created from the national. Lahat ng tao nakababa (All personnel are on the ground),” Lopez said during a press briefing at Camp Crame.
Lopez said police have received numerous tips through designated hotlines, although authorities are still verifying the information.
He stressed that the nationwide manhunt has been underway for some time but would be further intensified following the expiration of the surrender ultimatum.
Despite the ongoing operations, Lopez said investigators have not identified any individual or group allegedly providing shelter or protection to dela Rosa.
“Until now, we don’t have a specific group that is coddling Sen. Dela Rosa,” he said.
The PNP has also received no indication that the senator intends to surrender voluntarily.
Citing information from the Bureau of Immigration, Lopez said dela Rosa has not left the Philippines.
Authorities believe the senator may be moving between locations to evade arrest, prompting police to monitor possible hiding places and escape routes nationwide.
“Continuous operations ang ginagawa ng kapulisan (What the police are doing). Lahat ng possible areas at no stones unturned sa operations natin (All possible areas and no stones left unturned in our operations),” Lopez said.
While declining to disclose operational details, the PNP assured the public that its personnel would exercise maximum tolerance in serving the arrest warrant to prevent unnecessary violence.
Lopez also appealed directly to dela Rosa, reminding him of his former position as PNP chief and urging him not to place police officers at risk.
He emphasized that law enforcement personnel are merely carrying out their duties and called on the senator to surrender peacefully to avoid a potentially dangerous confrontation.
Dela Rosa is the subject of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant over alleged murders connected to the anti-drug campaign of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The government has offered a Php 50-million reward for information leading to the senator’s arrest as authorities continue efforts to locate him.
