PNP launches hotlines for Bato’s arrest

MANILA (UPDATE) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has launched hotlines to receive information on the whereabouts of Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa as it continues its manhunt for the senator, whose one-week ultimatum to surrender ends Friday.

PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Allen Rae Co said the hotlines would allow the public to call or send text messages with tips that could help authorities locate Dela Rosa and serve the warrant of arrest against him.

Co said the PNP continues to pursue the senator but hopes he would surrender voluntarily to avoid a potentially dangerous encounter.

“The very reason he was given one week, lahat tayo gusto to be resolved peacefully without loss of life, injuries or ano na makukuha to avoid a potentially dangerous encounter, but tuloy tuloy naman yung effort natin sa paghahanap kay Sen. Bato,” Co said.

He added that the PNP wants to give Dela Rosa the opportunity to surrender with dignity rather than be arrested after being tracked down by authorities.

Co also warned the public against making prank calls or deliberately flooding the hotlines with false information, saying such acts could result in criminal charges.

“This is an official law enforcement resource. Itong mga numbers na ito, and you can be criminally charged kapag nilaro-laro niyo ito,” he said.

Asked whether the PNP had received tips through the newly launched hotlines, Co said none had come in as of the interview, as the lines had only recently been established.

He declined to discuss other information previously received by authorities, citing confidentiality, but assured informants that their identities and phone numbers would be protected.

The PNP has yet to issue a wanted poster for Dela Rosa, Co said in a separate statement.

He added that authorities would consider issuing one if it would help their efforts to serve the arrest warrant.

For now, the police will continue their intelligence and operational efforts through available legal means, he said.

Co maintained that the PNP has sufficient personnel to enforce the warrant but would welcome assistance from other agencies, particularly the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

“Sapat ang puwersa ng ating kapulisan para i-enforce or effect ang arrest ni Sen. Bato but we always welcome of course ‘yung offers for assistance or help and napakaganda naman ng relationship natin with the AFP especially in conducting joint operations sa mga operations natin,” he added.

He also stressed that all PNP personnel are expected to perform their duties professionally, including those who may have previously worked with Dela Rosa.

On whether the PNP would approach Dela Rosa’s wife to persuade the senator to surrender, Co said the police were willing to speak with her should she initiate contact.

“Maybe it’s a little inappropriate for us to approach and to force her to give up her husband pero kung sa kanya manggagaling ‘yung initiative to talk to us, very much welcome na makikipag-usap ang PNP,” Co said.

Co also confirmed that Dela Rosa’s son, Rock, is an active member of the PNP.

However, he declined to discuss the son’s current assignment, saying it was separate from the ongoing operation.

Responding to the senator’s wife, who earlier said Dela Rosa needed help rather than persecution, Co said the PNP recognized the senator’s contributions but emphasized that its immediate task was to implement the arrest warrant.

“Everything else aside, we are just serving a warrant of arrest,” he said.

Co clarified that the end of the one-week period would not necessarily mean an escalation in the operation, saying the manhunt had been continuing even before the ultimatum.

He reiterated the PNP’s appeal for Dela Rosa to surrender voluntarily, saying this would give the senator an opportunity to resolve the matter peacefully and would be viewed more positively by those concerned, including the court.