Police and intelligence operatives launched four coordinated operations on Wednesday to arrest Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, but failed to locate the former police chief who is wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) said two operations were carried out in Parañaque City, while the two others were conducted in Pampanga and Bulacan.
“He’s not there,” CIDG spokesperson Maj. Helen Dela Cruz said, referring to the four locations searched by authorities.
Dela Rosa has been named as one of the alleged co-perpetrators of former President Rodrigo Duterte in the crimes against humanity case pending before the ICC in connection with the previous administration’s drug war.
The CIDG said the operations were conducted with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other PNP units following recent directives from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to enforce the ICC warrant.
“The simultaneous actions materialize recent directives from the DOJ to enforce the warrant of arrest issued by the International Criminal Court,” the CIDG said.
The police unit said the coordinated actions showed the government’s intent to track fugitives across regional boundaries and enforce warrants “without bias or exception.”
Authorities also assured the public that the operations would remain impartial, professional, and within the bounds of the law, with respect for the constitutional rights of all parties.
In Pampanga, Barangay Balibago chairman Joseph Ponce said the operation was conducted at a house in Angeles City owned by the uncle of Sen. Robin Padilla.
Ponce said CIDG and NBI operatives searched the residence at around 6 am after receiving information that Dela Rosa might be there.
“They thought Sen. Bato was there. Sen. Bato was not there,” Ponce said.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed that operations were conducted in Parañaque, Pampanga, and Bulacan, but did not provide further details.
“We will find him. No matter what it takes,” Remulla said.
He said authorities are facing challenges in locating Dela Rosa, citing what he described as the senator’s access to “money and connections.”
Dela Rosa left the Senate premises on May 14, days after a failed attempt by the NBI to serve the ICC arrest warrant against him.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. also rejected concerns that police personnel may go easy on Dela Rosa because of his past leadership of the PNP.
“The Philippine National Police operates strictly on legal frameworks and our sworn oath to serve and protect, meaning no individual is above the law regardless of rank or title,” Nartatez said.
He said institutional respect for Dela Rosa as a former PNP chief would not affect the conduct of police operations.
“While our ranks maintain an institutional respect for Senator Bato Dela Rosa as a former PNP chief, we assure the public that there will be no special treatment,” Nartatez said.
He directed police personnel to follow standard operating procedures, observe maximum restraint, and respect human rights in all actions related to the case.
Nartatez also appealed to Dela Rosa to cooperate with the legal process, saying the credibility of the police organization is under public scrutiny.
“The eyes of the nation are on us,” he said. “The PNP will remain a professional, disciplined institution that honors the badge by executing its mandates with maximum restraint, strict adherence to human rights, and total accountability.”