The Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said they have no information confirming reports that Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has been arrested, following widespread speculation on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press briefing, DOJ spokesperson Atty. Polo Martinez said the department had not received any official report confirming the senator’s alleged arrest.
“We cannot confirm that information, at least not yet. Wala pa po kami natatanggap na nangyari ‘yan. ‘Yan lang po masasabi ko ngayon.”
DILG Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla likewise said authorities under his department had no information indicating that Dela Rosa had been apprehended.
“Please tell the press corps that as far as the PNP is concerned, we have no information to that effect.”
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) also dismissed reports that it had arrested the senator.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the manhunt for Dela Rosa remains ongoing.
“No. Not on our part,” Matibag said when asked whether the NBI had taken Dela Rosa into custody.
Meanwhile, Dela Rosa’s legal counsel, Israelito Torreon, said he had no information about his client’s supposed arrest. He added that he has not communicated with the senator since speaking to him about two hours after Dela Rosa reportedly left the Senate premises on May 14.
Dela Rosa is the subject of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant in connection with alleged crimes against humanity tied to the anti-illegal drugs campaign under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte. The ICC alleges that Duterte and Dela Rosa were co-perpetrators in the crimes against humanity of murder and attempted murder related to killings during Duterte’s tenure as Davao City mayor and Philippine president.
Amid the speculation, two public figures posted cryptic messages on social media that fueled online discussion.
Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III wrote: “Praise God the Philippines has good news today.”
Meanwhile, lawyer and singer Jimmy Bondoc posted: “Bad news is coming. Pray hard that it is not true, for the good of the nation.”
Neither Sotto nor Bondoc elaborated on the context of their posts, and there is no official confirmation that their statements were referring to Dela Rosa or the circulating arrest rumors. As of the latest statements from the DOJ, DILG, and NBI, authorities have not confirmed that the senator has been arrested.
