Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has appealed to Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to cooperate with authorities, invoking the former PNP chief’s duty to the institution he once led.
Nartatez said the police organization remains committed to locating Dela Rosa with restraint and professionalism as law enforcement units continue to monitor his whereabouts amid legal developments linked to the International Criminal Court (ICC) probe.
“Our ranks maintain an institutional respect for Senator Bato as our former head of the PNP, and it is precisely that shared respect for the badge that guides our approach,” Nartatez said.
The PNP chief said Dela Rosa’s background as a lifelong law enforcer should guide his response to the ongoing legal process.
“We are appealing to Senator Bato’s enduring sense of duty as a lifelong law enforcer to ensure this legal process is resolved with the utmost dignity,” he added.
Reports earlier quoted officials as saying Dela Rosa should be considered “presumed armed and dangerous” because of his law enforcement background and access to firearms. The PNP, however, stressed that police units must observe operational protocols, respect human rights standards, and avoid any unnecessary escalation.
Nartatez also directed regional and local police units to exercise maximum restraint should officers encounter the senator.
“Senator Bato knows better than anyone the weight of the uniform and the oath our officers take to uphold the law. Just as our men and women in uniform honor his legacy as their former top cop, we ask that he honor their current duty by cooperating fully,” he said.
The PNP chief said authorities remain hopeful that the matter can be resolved peacefully and in an orderly manner.
“We are handling this strictly by the book, keeping communication open, and we strongly believe a peaceful and orderly outcome is entirely within reach,” Nartatez said.