The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is prepared to launch a manhunt operation against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, NBI Spokesperson Palmer Mallari assured, adding that the agency remains on alert as part of its mandate.

He said that NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag is set to meet with higher officials to discuss the next steps to be taken. However, Mallari emphasized that the NBI is awaiting the Supreme Court’s (SC) resolution on its dismissal of dela Rosa’s request for a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO).

“Of course, the NBI would have to study muna and see the resolution. Kasi unang-una, marmaing diniscuss doon eh. Pero ang unang diniscuss doon yung prayer for interim release,” Mallari said.

Once the resolution is released, the bureau will review the contents of the High Court’s decision before issuing an official statement and determining the appropriate course of action.

Aside from the NBI, Mallari assumes that the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have also received copies of the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“What we can guarantee to you is that, patuloy naman po nangangalap ng information ang NBI through the directive of our director para po in the event that we will be dispatched eventually to serve the warrant and hanapin si Senator Bato, alam naman po natin kung ano ang gagawin,” Mallari highlighted.

Matibag did not appear at the press conference scheduled at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, RH Jecelle Ricafort reported on DZRH’s Breaktime.

However, when approached and questioned by the media, the former said he did not want to speculate and said that he had not yet seen or read the SC’s decision.