‘No stone left unturned’, NBI says of search for Bato dela Rosa

MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation is checking new information that could help find Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa as it intensifies efforts to locate the former national police chief who is subject of an International Criminal Court warrant.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau has identified priority areas and may conduct operations soon to check Dela Rosa’s potential whereabouts. 

“Well…  we will not leave any stone unturned,” Matibag said of the search.

He said the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s announcement of a bounty for information on Dela Rosa’s location has prompted more people to send in tips.

Matibag explained that investigators need to verify the information received and physically check potential locations.

“Basta sa Pilipinas pa, ‘yun yung mas malaking information natin dito,” he said when asked if the senator is still in the country.

(He is still in the Philippines, that is the big information that we have.)

Matibag acknowledged the possibility of an armed encounter during the search, citing Dela Rosa’s background as a former Philippine National Police chief, his familiarity with law enforcement operations, and his support network.

“But as much as possible, we want to get him na yung pinaka-less na violence ang mangyayari (with the least violence possible),” he said

Dela Rosa is believed to be hiding in Mindanao, under the protection of an unnamed armed group.

Matibag also clarified that the NBI is not negotiating with Dela Rosa, saying the agency is focused on monitoring and processing information relevant to the search.

“We want to get him as soon as possible because we have a commitment also to the international community and to the people. We need answers, of course,” he said.

Dela Rosa, a key figure in the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign, has not been seen in public since May.