The Palace on Tuesday called on Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to voluntarily surrender to authorities within the seven-day ultimatum period, which ends this Thursday, October 29, noting that as a former police chief and sitting senator, he must take the lead in submitting to the law.
Senator Dela Rosa, as a present member of Congress and former chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), should not be setting an example encouraging others facing arrest warrants to evade the law, said Palace Press Officer Claire Castro during a press briefing.
“So ngayon, binibigyan pa po ng pagkakataon si Senator Bato Dela Rosa na gampanan niya ang kanyang tungkulin bilang Pilipino. Hindi lang iyon, dahil dati rin siyang nagsilbi na PNP chief. Huwag siyang maging ehemplo, huwag siyang maging modelo sa mga taong mayroong kinakaharap na warrant (of) arrest at magtatago bilang dating miyembro ng kapulisan, siya po ang dapat na unang gumagalang sa batas, unang nagpapatupad ng batas, lalong-lalo na siya ay senador,” she told reporters.
“So huwag siyang maging ehemplo para sa ibang mga, sabihin nating pugante na magtago dahil siya ang gagawing idolo,” she stressed.
The Palace official clarified that the one-week window granted Dela Rosa gives him the opportunity to voluntarily surrender without police intervention, according to PNP Chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr.
“Ang period na ibinigay kay Senator Bato dela Rosa ay para sumuko siya nang maayos, nang hindi na gagalaw pa sana ang kapulisan dahil mas maganda magkaroon ng voluntary surrender,” she explained.
However, if Dela Rosa remains unwilling to cooperate, police will resume their manhunt, Castro said.
“Pero kung sang isang tao na pinapa-surrender ay nagmamatigas at parang binabalewala ang batas at ang gobyerno at ang mga law enforcers natin patuloy na siya ay hahagilapin at hindi magsasabalewala, hindi tutulugan ito lalung-lalo na ng ating mga kapulisan. So patuloy po. According kay Secretary Jonvic, ‘No mercy,’” she said.
The government has also placed a ₱50 million reward for information leading to Dela Rosa’s capture.
