MANILA, Philippines — Senator and ex-police chief Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson reiterated his earlier advice to Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, urging him to “hide well” as authorities continue efforts to locate him over an arrest warrant linked to the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.
Former senator Panfilo Lacson on Sunday stood by his earlier remarks advising Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to stay hidden, citing his own past experience of going into hiding during legal battles and describing the senator’s actions as a form of self-preservation.
Speaking in one interview, Lacson said he would not tell Dela Rosa to surrender, noting that he had once served as the senator’s superior during their time in the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF).
He added that Dela Rosa also worked under him during his tenure as chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Lacson said Dela Rosa ultimately has the right to decide whether to evade arrest or face the accusations against him.
DELA ROSA REMAINS OUT OF PUBLIC VIEW
Dela Rosa’s location remains unknown after he reportedly left Senate premises before dawn on May 14 following a reported disturbance in the Senate complex.
Days earlier, the senator had resurfaced after more than six months away from public view to participate in Senate leadership developments that resulted in a change in the chamber’s leadership.
Before entering the Senate session hall, however, Dela Rosa allegedly avoided agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) who attempted to serve an arrest warrant connected to the ICC probe into the Duterte administration’s controversial anti-drug campaign.
Following the incident, the Senate reportedly placed him under protective custody.
Lacson said he understands Dela Rosa’s actions, describing them as driven by instinct for survival and self-preservation.
LACSON RECALLS HIS OWN LEGAL ORDEAL
The former police chief also recalled his own experience when he went into hiding in 2010 after being implicated in the killing of publicist Salvador “Bubby” Dacer and his driver Emmanuel Corbito.
Lacson had denied the allegations and later resurfaced after the Court of Appeals reversed findings against him. The case was eventually dismissed by the Supreme Court.
However, Lacson emphasized that his case differed from Dela Rosa’s situation. He argued that his decision to go into hiding at the time complied with prevailing legal principles, allowing an accused person to seek legal remedies even without being under physical custody.
QUESTIONS RAISED OVER NBI OPERATIONS
Lacson also weighed in on the operations of law enforcement agencies pursuing high-profile personalities. He stressed that intelligence gathering remains essential in conducting successful operations and warned that poor planning and coordination could lead to wasted resources.
He also questioned the NBI’s approach in attempting to serve the warrant on Dela Rosa within Senate premises, suggesting that authorities committed a tactical error in how they carried out the operation.
According to Lacson, proper operational planning and personnel deployment are critical, especially when dealing with high-profile cases.
Backgrounder
Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, former Philippine National Police chief and a key figure in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-illegal drug campaign, has been linked to proceedings connected to the International Criminal Court’s investigation into alleged crimes against humanity during the drug war.
The Philippines formally withdrew from the ICC in 2019, but the tribunal has maintained jurisdiction over alleged offenses committed while the country was still a member.
Dela Rosa has denied wrongdoing and has repeatedly defended the anti-drug campaign implemented during Duterte’s administration.