Bato dela Rosa's world getting smaller as authorities step up manhunt ops —Palace - GMA Network

Malacañang on Thursday defended anew the P50-million bounty set on Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s head, saying that his world has gotten smaller as authorities have stepped up efforts to arrest him in connection with crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court.

Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro said this on the eve of the deadline the Department of the Interior and Local Government gave the lawmaker to surrender.

Dela Rosa's camp on Wednesday sought anew a temporary restraining order from the Supreme Court against the implementation of the warrant and the P50-million reward for his arrest.

The law firm founded by Dela Rosa's counsel Atty. Israelito Torreon has said there remains no warrant issued by a Philippine court for his arrest.

“The only document the government has is a warrant from the International Criminal Court. That is a foreign tribunal under a treaty the Philippines withdrew from effective March 17, 2019," the firm said in a statement.

In Malacañang, Castro said, "Totoo na lumiliit ang mundo ni Senator Bato dahil ang maaaring makakita sa kaniya ay magbibigay ng impormasyon agad-agad sa PNP at sa ibang law enforcement agencies,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said in a press briefing.

(It is true that Senator Bato’s world is getting smaller because whoever sees him could give information immediately to the PNP and other law enforcement agencies.)

Reading a statement from the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), Castro said that the agencies have stepped up their manhunt for Dela Rosa.

“The combined effect of heightened police operations increase public awareness and the bounty announcement has substantially narrowed the senator's ability to move freely without drawing attention,” Castro said, reading the joint statement.

“We likewise appeal to Senator Dela Rosa to voluntarily surrender to the proper authorities and submit himself to the legal process with dignity,” she added.

However, she did not disclose more details regarding the operations.

Castro said that all information being received is carefully reviewed and credible leads are being acted upon.

The task force, led by Police Lieutenant General Wilson Joseph Lopez, is currently ensuring seamless coordination among all concerned agencies, she added.

The Palace official also emphasized that the P50 million bounty for Dela Rosa came from the confidential funds of the DILG.

Dela Rosa’s camp has sought the intervention of the Supreme Court in the manhunt against him in relation arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. He sought a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from arresting him.

In Camp Crame, the PNP on Thursday reiterated its appeal for Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to surrender as the deadline set by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) nears.

“Again, the same appeal that we are giving to him and his family. Let's end this with dignity on your part,” PNP spokesperson Police Colonel Allen Rae Co said during a press briefing.

Co said authorities want to avoid any violent encounters, injuries, or deaths during the ongoing manhunt for the senator.

“Let's avoid any untoward incidents, any potential dangerous encounters, or any harm that may come to anybody. We would like to avoid any injuries, any violent encounters, and of course, pinakamasama na po is mayroon pong masawi dito sa (worst, fatalities in the) operation,” he said. —AOL/NB, GMA News