MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday disclosed that authorities already have “solid leads” on the whereabouts of Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa as efforts intensify to serve the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against the former Philippine National Police chief.
The disclosure came amid mounting pressure on Philippine law enforcement agencies to locate Dela Rosa, one of the principal figures linked to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs, which is under ICC investigation for alleged crimes against humanity.
NBI director Melvin Matibag said investigators are deliberately withholding details to avoid compromising ongoing operations and to prevent speculation that could affect efforts to track the senator.
“Mahirap naman po mag-announce na nandiririto siya kasi people try to speculate,” Matibag said during a press briefing.
“Marami pong lead na binigay, but we have a lead kung nasaan talaga pero in the meantime we will suspend ‘yong announcement kung nasaan talaga siya,” he added.
Matibag also pointed to Sen. Robinhood Padilla as a possible source of information regarding Dela Rosa’s whereabouts, saying Padilla was reportedly the last person seen with the senator before he left the Senate premises last week during heightened tensions over the ICC warrant.
“If there’s somebody or person that should be asked, ang unang-unang dapat tanungin si Sen. Robin Padilla dahil siya ‘yong huling kasama,” Matibag said.
Padilla earlier claimed that Dela Rosa left the Senate because of an alleged threat of kidnapping, but declined to say whether he personally helped the senator leave the Senate compound.
Dela Rosa, a former top police official and chief architect of Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, is facing charges of crimes against humanity before the ICC over thousands of deaths linked to the controversial crackdown.
The NBI chief urged Dela Rosa, himself a longtime law enforcer, to submit to legal processes instead of evading authorities.
“Galing siya sa law enforcement… it’s better na harapin niya ‘yung warrant niya, mag-submit siya. Harapin niya ‘yung kanyang pananagutan sa batas,” Matibag said.
Matibag stressed that the ICC arrest warrant remains in effect and that Philippine authorities continue coordinating with international law enforcement bodies regarding the case.
“Nasa wanted list siya ng ICC. So, we have a commitment to the International Criminal Court. As a law enforcement, naka-monitor tayo,” Matibag said.
He added that Dela Rosa’s camp has already filed a petition before the Supreme Court questioning the ICC warrant, and authorities are awaiting the tribunal’s action on the matter./PN
