National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag acknowledged the possibility of an armed encounter during efforts to arrest 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.
In the report by RH Jecelle Ricafort, Matibag said the possibility of an encounter exists in any law enforcement operation, particularly given dela Rosa’s background as a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and the senator’s alleged access to firearms and connections within law enforcement.
“The possibility of an encounter, nandoon yan. Hindi naman po natin inaalis ’yan. Lahat naman po ng law enforcement, there's a possibility of an encounter,” Matibag said.
However, the NBI chief stressed that authorities would seek to minimize violence during any operation to apprehend the senator.
“As much as possible, we want to get him na yung pinaka less na violence na may mangyayari,” he added.
Matibag noted that dela Rosa had not surrendered all his firearms when authorities previously sought their surrender, raising concerns about the possible presence of weapons.
The NBI director said operatives would conduct further operations in the coming days or weeks to narrow down the possible locations where the senator might be hiding.
He also reported an increase in information received by authorities regarding dela Rosa’s possible whereabouts following the announcement of a ₱50-million bounty for his arrest.
If the NBI succeeds in arresting the senator, Matibag said the agency would return the reward to the government or allocate it for public service.
Matibag also denied that the NBI was negotiating with an alleged armed group supposedly sheltering the former police chief. He maintained his belief that dela Rosa remains in the Philippines and said authorities aim to apprehend him as soon as possible.
The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for dela Rosa, who is accused alongside former president Rodrigo Duterte in connection with alleged crimes against humanity related to the administration’s anti-drug campaign.
