(Photo courtesy of PNA)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has rejected calls for extreme measures against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, emphasizing that efforts to enforce the law must strictly follow legal procedures and respect human rights.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said Tuesday that police operations must remain guided by due process amid social media posts suggesting violent action against the senator, who faces an arrest warrant issued in connection with alleged crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“The PNP does not subscribe to a shoot-to-kill approach. Our mandate is to enforce the law, not to take the law into our own hands. Every operation must be guided by due process, respect for human rights, and the rule of law,” Nartatez said in a statement.
His remarks followed the circulation of social media posts falsely attributing to Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan a supposed proposal for a “shoot-to-kill” resolution against Dela Rosa.
Suan denied making such a statement, describing the circulating posts as fabricated.
Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson Allen Rae Co clarified during a press briefing at Camp Crame that a photograph allegedly showing Dela Rosa in Digos City during the Undas observance was taken three years ago.
“If we are talking about the same picture sa Digos, it was confirmed by our tech team it was an old picture, luma na ito and the one who posted himself or the owner of the picture himself commented na ito ay three years ago na,” Co said.
Police warned that individuals deliberately spreading misleading information to obstruct operations or overwhelm official reporting hotlines could face criminal complaints.
“Sinabi natin dati yan lalo na doon sa hotline natin na it’s possible they may be facing criminal cases if their intent is to mislead, to obstruct and ma-flood yung ating hotline,” Co added.
Dela Rosa remains the subject of an ICC arrest warrant linked to alleged crimes against humanity during the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
The one-week deadline set for his surrender expired on October 30, prompting authorities to continue efforts to locate the senator.
Nartatez directed police units to maintain intelligence-gathering and monitoring operations to establish Dela Rosa’s whereabouts and facilitate the implementation of the warrant through lawful procedures.
He also reminded officers to exercise maximum restraint, avoid excessive force, and observe proportionality and human rights standards during arrest operations.
“We understand the public’s desire for accountability, but justice must never be pursued at the expense of the law. Let us allow law enforcement authorities to do their job professionally and impartially because the strength of justice lies not in the use of excessive force, but in the faithful enforcement of the law,” Nartatez said.
The PNP chief stressed that law enforcement credibility depends not only on apprehending individuals facing legal proceedings but also on ensuring that operations comply with established laws.
“The credibility of law enforcement rests not only on our ability to enforce the law but on our discipline in doing so within the limits prescribed by law. The PNP will continue to perform its mandate professionally, impartially, and without fear or favor,” he added.
