NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag disclosed Monday that the agency will seek to apprehend Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa with the minimum use of force, but acknowledged that a confrontation cannot be ruled out.
Dela Rosa — former chief of the Philippine National Police — retains extensive law enforcement connections, and Matibag noted that he “definitely has friends who will probably be helping him.” The senator has also not surrendered all his firearms, further complicating the operation.
Matibag confirmed that new leads on dela Rosa’s whereabouts have reached the bureau following the announcement of a ₱50‑million bounty by the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
“He is still in the Philippines — that is the most important information we have,” Matibag stated. He cautioned the public not to be surprised if authorities visit locations without making an arrest, explaining that fugitive manhunts often involve checking leads that may no longer be current. Operations are planned over the coming days and week to narrow down possible hiding places.
The NBI director emphasized that the bureau is not negotiating with any alleged armed group said to be shielding dela Rosa. The senator has been at large since May 14, when he left the Senate building shortly after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant in connection with the government’s anti‑drug campaign, in which an estimated 12,000 to 30,000 people were killed. Dela Rosa served as PNP chief from 2016 to 2018 and is listed as a co‑perpetrator in the ICC crimes‑against‑humanity case.
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