Malacañang on Wednesday, Oct. 21, urged Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to surrender, after Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla warned that an attempt to arrest him by force could leave as many as 10,000 people dead.
“Sumuko ka na kasi para wala ng dugong dadanak,” Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said, or “Just surrender so that no more blood will be shed.”
Dela Rosa faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity over his alleged role in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war. He has not been convicted and is presumed innocent. Duterte is detained in The Hague awaiting trial.
Remulla Favors Talks
Remulla said earlier this week that dela Rosa, last monitored in Mindanao, is being protected by an armed group. He said he received that information two months ago, and he referred to “very powerful people” in Mindanao.
“In exchange for up to 10,000 potential deaths, I would rather negotiate first than cost the lives of Filipinos in this,” Remulla said. He said authorities want to resolve the matter in a “peaceful and humane” way. He did not explain how he arrived at the figure.
Remulla has also admitted that he “dropped the ball” in May, when dela Rosa left the Senate. According to reports, the senator left before dawn, at about 2:30 a.m., in a vehicle belonging to Sen. Robin Padilla, hours after a standoff and shooting involving National Bureau of Investigation agents and Senate security. He has not been seen in public since.
Palace Warns Protectors
Castro called the alleged protection of dela Rosa by an armed group a “national threat” but declined to give details of arrest operations.
“These kinds of groups…[are] the ones undermining institutions and obstructing the enforcement of the law,” she said.
“Is this the situation we want after the president’s term ends, where individuals who could potentially face legal charges are instead sheltered by organizations or groups that appear accustomed to violence?” Castro asked.
Gatchalian: No Negotiation
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said the government should not negotiate with the group. He said unauthorized armed groups have no right to weapons. “We shouldn’t be negotiating with them, because they certainly shouldn’t be more heavily armed than the government,” he said in Filipino.
Gatchalian said he understands Remulla’s concern and would leave the strategy to him. “What’s important here is that the situation will be peaceful and orderly,” he said.
Why It Matters
The Interior Secretary favors talks, while the Palace and the Senate President reject bargaining with armed groups. How the government settles that difference will decide how it serves an international warrant on a sitting senator.
What to Watch
Watch for any response from dela Rosa or his camp to the Palace appeal. Watch also whether authorities name the group Remulla says is protecting him.
