Remulla admits lapses in failed attempt to arrest Dela Rosa: NBI says senator likely still in PH 

MJ Farrley Ong

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla admitted that authorities were “remiss” in their failed bid to attempt to arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa after the International Criminal Court unsealed a warrant for his arrest, acknowledging that better instructions could have stopped the senator’s flee. 

In an interview on ANC’s Dateline Philippines on June 27, Remulla took responsibility for operational lapses that allowed the senator to leave Senate custody following the chaos brought by a shooting incident inside the Senate building last May. 

“That was the haze in the fog of war when everything was going on. I think we were remiss in that” said Secretary Remulla.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) chief said the Philippine National Police, which is under his supervision, should have exercised greater vigilance over Dela Rosa”s actions.

“I should have given better instructions on what to do,” he added.

Remulla explained that his priority was ensuring the safety of senators after a shooting incident prompted a lockdown in the Senate. 

He also clarified that Dela Rosa was considered a “no-touch personality” at the time because he had already sought relief before the Supreme Court through an application for a temporary restraining order against the ICC warrant implemented against him.

The ICC unsealed Dela Rosa’s arrest warrant on May 11 for allegedly being linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.

Dela Rosa was placed under Senate protective custody after making an unexpected appearance at the Senate on May 11, the same day the ICC unsealed his arrest warrant. He later escaped the premises in the early hours of May 14. 

Despite remaining out of public view since then, the National Bureau of Investigation said there are strong indications that the Senator is still in the country.

“There is a strong indication that he is still here in the Philippines, and we are following several leads,” NBI Director Melvin Matibag said in an interview with Balitanghali.

Matibag added that leaving the country would be difficult for Dela Rosa, emphasizing that 132 countries are members of the ICC and may cooperate in enforcing his arrest warrant.

Authorities have yet to locate the senator, Remulla, meanwhile, said he is open to possibly offering a bounty for information to arrest Dela Rosa.

Meanwhile, the NBI clarified that it has not received any additional ICC arrest warrants besides the one issued against Dela Rosa, amid several reports that Senator Christopher “Bong” Go may also be facing the similar action.