MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has formally asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) to revoke Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa’s firearms license and immediately confiscate his 118 registered firearms, warning that the lawmaker’s extensive arsenal poses an “extraordinary and disproportionate peril” to authorities tasked with serving the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against him.
In a letter addressed to PNP chief General Jose Nartatez Jr., NBI director Melvin Matibag urged the police to cancel Dela Rosa’s license and compel the senator to surrender all registered firearms within 48 hours upon notice or arrest.
The request came as Philippine authorities intensify coordination efforts related to the ICC case against Dela Rosa, who is accused of crimes against humanity in connection with killings linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign from July 2016 to April 2018.
According to the NBI, Dela Rosa’s registered firearms include semi-automatic and select-fire rifles, UZI submachine gun variants, high-powered .338 caliber rifles, combat-grade shotguns, and several handguns.
“Law enforcement officers tasked with serving the ICC warrant are placed in extraordinary and disproportionate peril so long as these weapons remain in the subject’s lawful possession,” the NBI said in the letter.
“The immediate confiscation of these firearms is a necessary and proportionate measure to protect their lives,” it added.
The bureau also directed the PNP to coordinate with regional police units, particularly in Davao, for the immediate seizure and safekeeping of the firearms once Dela Rosa is apprehended or voluntarily complies.
The ICC warrant against the senator cited at least 32 deaths allegedly tied to the anti-drug campaign during his stint as Philippine National Police chief.
“The NBI stands ready to provide all supporting documentation, legal assistance, and operational coordination as may be required,” the bureau said.
“We respectfully urge that this request be acted upon with the urgency the law and circumstances demand,” it added.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida backed the proposal, stressing that firearm ownership is a state-granted privilege that may be withdrawn when public safety is at stake.
“Gun ownership and having a license to gun ownership are not a right but a privilege. At any time, the state, the republic, should not have its tools and its mechanisms limited,” Vida said during a separate briefing.
“I’ll talk to General Nartatez about that and I expect that it should be revoked at the soonest possible time,” he added.
The PNP earlier said it would review and act on any formal request seeking the revocation of Dela Rosa’s firearms license./PN
