Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa – Photo courtesy of Bato Dela Rosa/Facebook.
The Philippine National Police Firearms and Explosives Office has revoked the firearms license and registration of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, effectively ordering him to surrender all registered weapons under his name.
The revocation order dated May 26 and signed by FEO chief Brig. Gen. Jose Manalad Jr. cited provisions of Republic Act 10591 as basis for the cancellation of his license to own and possess firearms.
Authorities said the law bars individuals facing qualifying criminal cases from maintaining firearm ownership, which they used as ground to revoke the senator’s permit.
Records from the FEO showed Dela Rosa held a Type 5 license, allowing ownership of 15 or more firearms, and listed 117 firearms registered under his name with validity until 2034.
With the revocation, the PNP directed that all firearms under his registration be surrendered to authorities for safekeeping and proper disposition.
The FEO also ordered its Davao regional unit to formally serve the notice and coordinate the confiscation or turnover of the weapons.
The move comes as Dela Rosa faces legal pressure linked to an International Criminal Court warrant over alleged involvement in the previous administration’s drug war, where he once served as PNP chief.
His legal camp rejected the decision, arguing that the cited provision was misapplied and stressing that he has no conviction or court order that would justify the revocation.