‘Hindi niya hahayaang may masaktan’: PNP urges ex-chief Dela Rosa to surrender as ultimatum ends

Sen. Bato Dela Rosa joins a PDP-Laban miting de avance at Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila City on May 8, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is appealing to Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa to voluntarily surrender, saying the former police chief would not want any member of the organization, including himself and his camp, to get hurt in the process.

PNP Deputy Chief for Administration Lt. Gen. Joseph Wilson Lopez said they have yet to receive any feeler from Dela Rosa regarding his possible surrender, as the one-week ultimatum given to the senator expires on Friday.

“Wala pa tayong natatanggap na any feeler for the voluntary surrender of Sen. Dela Rosa until now,” Lopez said.

The task force head appealed to Dela Rosa to remember his past role as head of the organization, likening his relationship with police personnel to that of a father and his children.

“Kung sa puso niya ay naroon pa ang kanyang pagiging tatay ng Philippine National Police, alam kong hindi niya hahayaan na mayroong isa o dalawa o any member of the Philippine National Police na masaktan,” Lopez said.

“Patuloy kaming humihingi ng tulong sa kanya, patuloy kaming nagsusumamo sa kanya na sumuko na siya para maiwasan natin ang lahat ng magiging problema.”

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier warned of a possible “bloodbath” if authorities resort to force in arresting the senator.

Asked about the warning, Lopez said the PNP was  not threatening Dela Rosa but was simply carrying out its mandate to implement the arrest warrant.

“Hindi tayo nagwa-warning sa kanya. Ang masasabi ko lang, the Philippine National Police is tasked to implement the warrant. So ang tungkulin namin ay i-implement ang warrant na ito,” he said.

Lopez noted the PNP had intensified its efforts to locate the senator, with a dedicated team assigned to the operation.

He declined to disclose operational details but said authorities were considering all possible scenarios, including a potential encounter with Dela Rosa.

He added that the police force was enough for the operation, with the Armed Forces of the Philippines ready to provide support, including air and water assets, if needed.

Asked about the senator’s lawyer’s concern that his life could be in danger, Lopez assured that the PNP intends to resolve the matter peacefully.

“Hindi siya masasaktan,” he said. 

Lopez maintained that Dela Rosa, having once led the police organization, knows that police personnel are expected to follow the law.

He also warned that anyone found harboring or helping a wanted person could face liability.

The PNP earlier said it would intensify its manhunt following the expiration of the ultimatum, while continuing to appeal to Dela Rosa to surrender voluntarily.