THE Palace on Monday defended the P50-million bounty for the arrest of Senator Ronald “Bato” M. dela Rosa, saying the reward forms part of an operational strategy by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Palace Press Officer Clarissa A. Castro said the bounty was not specifically ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. but was a strategy adopted by Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” C. Remulla and the police leadership.
“It is not something that the President would specifically mention, to give him a P50-million bounty. It would not come directly from the President because this is the strategy and operation of Secretary Jonvic Remulla and the PNP leadership,” Ms. Castro said in an interview with state-run Radyo Pilipinas.
She said confidential and intelligence funds allocated to the DILG and the PNP could be used for such operations, provided authorities could substantiate the operation and demonstrate results.
“If these are their methods for using their intelligence funds, this is in order, provided they can prove the operation they are conducting and that there will be results,” she said.
The DILG announced the P50-million reward on Friday for information leading to the capture of Mr. dela Rosa, whom Mr. Remulla described as armed and dangerous.
The government also gave the lawmaker one week to surrender, although Ms. Castro said on Monday that operations would continue if he failed to turn himself in.
“According to General Nartatez, even if Senator Bato does not surrender within the one-week period, the operation will continue,” she said, referring to PNP chief Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr.
Mr. Dela Rosa has been in hiding since leaving the Senate in May, when authorities sought to enforce an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The court unsealed the warrant on May 11, citing reasonable grounds to believe he was criminally responsible for alleged crimes against humanity of murder linked to former President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s anti-drug campaign. Mr. Dela Rosa has denied involvement in illegal killings.
Mr. Dela Rosa’s legal counsel, Israelito P. Torreon, questioned the bounty in a Facebook post on Monday, arguing that authorities should produce an arrest warrant issued by a Philippine court.
“What I am asking for is simple. The government should show a warrant issued by a Philippine court. That is not a plea for mercy. It is a demand that the government follow the law,” Mr. Torreon said.
Mr. Torreon argued that local courts have jurisdiction over crimes against humanity under Republic Act No. 9851 and that any charges against his client should be brought before a domestic court.
“If the government truly believes my client committed them, let it file the case here, before a Philippine judge who will examine the evidence,” he said.
Asked whether authorities could freeze the senator’s assets, Ms. Castro referred the matter to the Anti-Money Laundering Council, saying it could investigate if there were grounds to examine his assets. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking