MANILA — The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) has denied providing sanctuary to Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who has remained out of public view amid an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant over his alleged role in the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs.
MNLF chairman Muslimin Sema dismissed speculation that the former Philippine National Police chief was hiding under the protection of the armed organization in Mindanao, stressing that Dela Rosa has no official affiliation with the group.
The speculation emerged following reports that the senator might be seeking refuge with an influential armed organization in Mindanao to avoid arrest.
While acknowledging Dela Rosa’s personal connections with MNLF founding chairman Nur Misuari, the organization maintained that such relationships did not establish that it was sheltering the senator.
“The accurate answer is: Dela Rosa appears to have personal and political connections to figures associated with the MNLF, especially through [ex-president Rodrigo] Duterte’s relationship with Nur Misuari,” the group said.
The MNLF also cited its fragmented leadership, raising questions about whether Misuari’s faction would be willing or capable of preventing authorities from arresting Dela Rosa.
The senator has not been seen publicly since leaving the Senate complex in a vehicle belonging to Sen. Robin Padilla, days after the ICC warrant against him became public on May 11.
Dela Rosa had appeared at the Senate on the same day National Bureau of Investigation agents attempted to serve the warrant. He subsequently remained inside the complex for several days before departing.
The ICC warrant stems from Dela Rosa’s alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings during the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign, which he oversaw as PNP chief.
Former president Rodrigo Duterte is likewise facing crimes against humanity charges before the ICC in connection with killings linked to his administration’s drug war./PN
