Marcos Orders Lawful, Nonviolent Arrest of Senator Bato dela Rosa

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President wants law enforcement agencies to act promptly while ensuring that no lives are lost during the operation.

“There should be no time wasted in enforcing the law. The police should act quickly and aggressively,” Castro said, emphasizing that authorities must carry out their duties without unnecessary violence.

“No one must die in the arrest of Senator Bato, but they should not resist because our police force will not back down,” she added.

Castro said Marcos supports the actions of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and law enforcement agencies to enforce the law.

Her statement came after the Senate minority bloc appealed to the President and relevant government agencies to coordinate with dela Rosa’s legal counsel to achieve a peaceful resolution.

Remulla Urges Dela Rosa to Surrender

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said it would be better for dela Rosa to surrender voluntarily rather than continue evading authorities.

His remarks followed concerns raised by the senator’s lawyer, Israelito Torreon, about his client’s safety and the legality of the government’s reported ₱50-million bounty for information leading to his arrest.

Torreon criticized the bounty, arguing that without an arrest warrant issued by a Philippine court, the move could put the senator’s life at risk and encourage individuals to take the law into their own hands.

Remulla, however, maintained that authorities would continue their efforts to locate and arrest dela Rosa. He said Interpol had issued a Red Notice concerning the senator, who is reportedly subject to an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Dela Rosa is linked to the ICC investigation into the Philippines’ former administration’s war on drugs, in which former president Rodrigo Duterte faces crimes against humanity charges before the court in The Hague.

“He has a valid red notice from Interpol. We will arrest him and accord him all what is due under the law,” Remulla said in a Viber message.

Torreon continued to question the legal basis for the bounty, insisting that no Philippine court had issued an arrest warrant against his client. Remulla dismissed the objection and reiterated that the manhunt would continue.

The Interior secretary also described dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, as armed and dangerous, adding that a dedicated police task force had been deployed to locate him.

PNP Warns Those Helping Dela Rosa Evade Arrest

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. gave dela Rosa one week to surrender and warned that individuals who knowingly provide him refuge could face criminal charges.

The government’s actions have drawn a response from the Senate minority bloc, which defended the senator’s right to due process and questioned the circumstances surrounding the bounty.

In a statement released through the office of Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano, the 10-member bloc said dela Rosa should have the opportunity to answer the allegations against him before a Philippine court rather than the ICC.

The lawmakers acknowledged the government’s responsibility to maintain law and order but stressed that the situation should be resolved peacefully and in accordance with Philippine law.

“We understand the government’s desire to resolve this situation in the interest of law and order. We believe a peaceful resolution that respects our laws and protects lives remains possible,” the minority bloc said.

The senators also recognized the responsibilities of the DILG secretary and the PNP chief, expressing their willingness to cooperate toward a peaceful and lawful resolution.

As authorities continue the search, the situation raises questions about the balance between international legal obligations, domestic judicial procedures, due process, and the protection of human life during law enforcement operations.