Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has given Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa one week to surrender as authorities prepare to enforce the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him.
In the report by RH Edniel Parrosa, Nartatez warned that police are prepared to launch an operation to arrest the senator if he fails to surrender, even if it leads to an armed confrontation.
“Kung pwede mong mapasuko, sumuko ka. And so, Sen. Bato dela Rosa has one week to surrender. At pinaghahandaan natin yan. And we are preparing for that,” Nartatez said.
The PNP chief stressed that authorities would prefer a peaceful implementation of the arrest warrant but are ready to act, citing the force, personnel and training available to the police.
“Of course, we would like to have a peaceful… whatsoever on the specialty implementation of any product, whether search warrant or arrest warrant,” he said.
Nartatez’s warning came after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla cautioned that bloodshed could occur during efforts to arrest Dela Rosa, who is reportedly being protected by armed individuals.
The DILG has also announced a P50-million reward for information leading to the senator’s arrest, with Remulla describing Dela Rosa as “armed and dangerous.”
The senator is wanted by the ICC over alleged crimes against humanity linked to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
