MANILA: The Philippine National Police (PNP) has received at least 500 pieces of information related to the manhunt for Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said.
“These were properly validated; we went to the locations and conducted operations,” Nartatez said in a press briefing on Monday (Nov 9).
The information came from various areas across Western and Eastern Mindanao, the Visayas, Southern Tagalog, and Northern and Central Luzon, the PNP chief said.
Nartatez said the PNP was also continuing its manhunt operations for other high-profile individuals, including Zaldy Co, Atong Ang and Gerald Bantag.
He expressed confidence that fugitives could not hide forever, saying the places they could go were limited.
“What’s so important is that the PNP, in coordination with other law enforcement units, especially those with intelligence capabilities, are working hand in hand and working 24 hours, no letup, to ensure the implementation of these warrants and for their arrest,” Nartatez said.
The PNP had earlier vowed to pursue Dela Rosa’s arrest, stressing that his former position as police chief and personal ties would not influence law enforcement efforts.
Dela Rosa is subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant over alleged crimes against humanity stemming from at least 32 killings linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
He appeared at the Senate on May 11 to cast his vote for Sen. Allan Peter Cayetano as Senate president and was allowed to take refuge there.
However, he left days later following a shooting incident within the Senate premises. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
