Police authorities have drawn a firm line against extrajudicial methods and public agitation, asserting that high-profile arrest warrants will be executed strictly within constitutional boundaries despite growing public pressure.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said that enforcement actions will follow standard legal protocols following the spread of social media claims advocating violent measures against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. emphasized that law enforcement operations must remain bound by statutory procedure, regardless of the target’s political standing.
“The PNP does not subscribe to a shoot-to-kill approach. Our mandate is to enforce the law, not to take the law into our own hands. Every operation must be guided by due process, respect for human rights, and the rule of law,” Nartatez said.
The clarification follows statements from Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan, who denied online posts falsely claiming he advocated a shoot-to-kill resolution against Dela Rosa. Suan categorized the claims as fabricated and denied making such proposals.
Dela Rosa faces an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court, with the one-week surrender deadline having lapsed on Oct. 30.
Nartatez noted that public demands for swift results must not compromise fundamental legal protections.
“We understand the public’s desire for accountability, but justice must never be pursued at the expense of the law. Let us allow law enforcement authorities to do their job professionally and impartially because the strength of justice lies not in the use of excessive force, but in the faithful enforcement of the law,” Nartatez also said.
Nartatez instructed specialized police units to maintain intelligence monitoring to locate Dela Rosa and execute the warrant through established legal channels.
Reiterating operational parameters, the PNP chief instructed field units that all warrant operations require maximum restraint, proportional force, and adherence to human rights standards.
“The credibility of law enforcement rests not only on our ability to enforce the law but on our discipline in doing so within the limits prescribed by law. The PNP will continue to perform its mandate professionally, impartially, and without fear or favor,” Nartatez added.