MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday said Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa's world is "shrinking" as the Philippine National Police (PNP) has stepped up its operation to arrest him and acted on credible leads as to his whereabouts.
The PNP appealed to Dela Rosa "to surrender to the proper authorities and submit himself to the legal process with dignity."
Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary Claire Castro said PNP efforts to apprehend Dela Rosa have limited the fugitive senator's movements.
"It is true that Senator Bato [Dela Rosa]'s world is shrinking because anyone who might see him will immediately provide information to the PNP and other law enforcement agencies," Castro said in Filipino in a press briefing.
The Palace press officer also said that National Bureau of Investigation Director Matibag "is also receiving information regarding the whereabouts of Senator Bato Dela Rosa."
The PNP said that following the announcement of P50 million bounty for information leading to the apprehension of Dela Rosa, the PNP in close coordination with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and other concerned agencies has significantly stepped up its efforts to arrest him.
"The combined effect of heightened police operations increased public awareness and the bounty announcement has substantially narrowed the senator's ability to move freely without drawing attention," the PNP said in a statement.
However, the PNP declined to discuss specific intelligence information and operational details regarding the manhunt on Dela Rosa.
"Doing so could expose information sources, comprised the validation of leads, alert the subject to police efforts or endanger the personnel involved," it added.
"What we can assure the public is that information received is being carefully and throughly assessed and credible leads are being acted upon without delay," the PNP stressed.
The PNP also "ensures seamless coordination among all concerned agencies to guarantee that all relevant piece of information is properly validated and acted upon."
