MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has assured the public that personal relationships and former positions within the organization will not influence its efforts to locate and arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said Wednesday that the police force would remain impartial and professional in carrying out lawful orders, regardless of the identity or background of the person being pursued.
Nartatez welcomed Malacañang’s challenge to ensure that dela Rosa’s previous position as PNP chief would not become a factor in the ongoing manhunt.
“We welcome the challenge of Malacañang because it reinforces a fundamental principle of law enforcement: no position, rank, or personal relationship is above the law. The Philippine National Police will remain professional, impartial, and steadfast in implementing lawful orders, regardless of who is involved,” Nartatez said in a statement.
The PNP chief emphasized that police personnel must uphold their constitutional duties rather than remain loyal to individuals who previously held leadership positions in the organization.
“The loyalty of every police officer must always be to the Constitution and the law, not to personalities or former positions. In the PNP, service is a duty, not a privilege, and no personal allegiance should ever stand in the way of justice,” he added.
PALACE CHALLENGES PNP TO ENFORCE ICC WARRANT
The PNP’s statement came after Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro expressed confidence that Nartatez and the police force would perform their duties without being influenced by personal connections or alliances with dela Rosa.
On Tuesday, Castro challenged police officials to prioritize their mandate to enforce the law, stressing that the senator’s previous position as the country’s top police official should not prevent authorities from implementing the arrest warrant.
Castro also said the administration trusted Nartatez to fulfill his responsibilities despite any personal relationships he may have with the senator.
Her remarks followed statements from Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, who acknowledged that dela Rosa’s former position as PNP chief and his connections within the police and military communities could complicate efforts to locate him.
Castro warned that it would be a serious concern if authorities could establish that police personnel were sheltering the senator to prevent his arrest.
The Palace, however, maintained that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was not expressing frustration over the ongoing operation, provided that the PNP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) continued carrying out their responsibilities.
PNP CONTINUES TO VALIDATE TIPS AND ORGANIZE TRACKER TEAMS
Nartatez said the PNP continues to receive information regarding dela Rosa’s possible whereabouts through its official hotlines.
Authorities are validating the tips received, while tracker teams have been organized across the country to assist in locating the senator.
The police force is also coordinating with other law enforcement agencies as part of the continuing operation.
The government has offered a P50-million reward for information that would lead to dela Rosa’s arrest.
The announcement was made by Remulla on October 23, with the DILG formally publicizing the reward on October 26.
The DILG also established a dedicated task force headed by PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Police Lieutenant General Wilson Joseph Lopez to oversee operational and tactical efforts to locate and arrest the senator.
Authorities have previously appealed to dela Rosa to surrender and warned that individuals found harboring or concealing him could face legal consequences.
DELA ROSA WANTED OVER ALLEGED DRUG WAR KILLINGS
Dela Rosa is subject to an arrest warrant issued by the ICC in connection with the crimes against humanity case involving former president Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
The ICC issued the warrant under seal on November 6, 2025, before making it public on May 11, 2026.
The senator is accused of being a co-perpetrator in the alleged crimes against humanity, particularly murder, linked to killings during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
Dela Rosa served as PNP chief from July 2016 to April 2018, covering a significant period of the alleged crimes under investigation by the international tribunal.
The ICC warrant was also cited by the DILG when it announced the P50-million reward and intensified efforts to locate the senator.
DELA ROSA’S WHEREABOUTS REMAIN UNKNOWN
Dela Rosa has remained out of public view since May 2026, when authorities attempted to serve the ICC arrest warrant.
According to earlier government reports, the senator was last seen leaving the Senate building in Pasay City in the early hours of May 14.
The DILG previously claimed that dela Rosa was hiding somewhere in Mindanao under the protection of an armed and powerful group, although the department did not publicly identify the group.
Remulla also gave the senator a one-week period to surrender following the announcement of the reward.
However, Malacañang clarified that the manhunt would continue even after the deadline expired.
Meanwhile, dela Rosa’s legal camp has questioned the government’s enforcement efforts and sought intervention from the Supreme Court concerning the ICC warrant and the possibility of his arrest.
The government has maintained that authorities will continue their efforts to locate the senator and implement the warrant.
The PNP has reiterated that its operations will be conducted in accordance with the law, emphasizing that the senator’s former position in the organization will not exempt him from law enforcement procedures.