MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Friday said it was actively tracking down Sen. Ronald dela Rosa and would immediately enforce orders from the Department of Justice (DOJ) once the senator is found.
During a media briefing, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said law enforcement authorities have ongoing operations to find dela Rosa following developments related to the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant and Interpol red notice.
“We are right now looking for him. If we will see him today, we will arrest him today. If we will see him tomorrow or next week, we will arrest him,” Matibag said.
Matibag stressed that the NBI was acting under orders from the DOJ, which he said would address legal questions surrounding the implementation of the warrant.
“There’s an order from the Department of Justice to arrest Senator Bato. As a law enforcement group, we will enforce the order of the Department of Justice,” he said.
Pressed on whether authorities would wait for the complete ruling of the Supreme Court before implementing the arrest order, Matibag said the matter of legal interpretation should be addressed by the DOJ, while the NBI’s role was to enforce lawful directives.
The NBI chief also acknowledged that there was a “valid warrant that can be enforced,” although he referred questions regarding the issuance and timing of an Interpol red notice back to the DOJ.
Matibag said there was still no official report from the Bureau of Immigration indicating that dela Rosa had left the country.
“If you will base on the records of the Bureau of Immigration, walang records pa (there are no records yet),” he said, while noting that the Philippines’ geography presents numerous possible exit points.
The NBI director publicly appealed to dela Rosa to surrender peacefully.
“Mas maganda siguro, sumuko na lang siya. Kasi dalawang bagay naman yan—arestuhin ka o sumuko ka (Perhaps it would be better if you just surrender. There are only two options — you are arrested or you surrender),” Matibag said.
He also urged the public to cooperate with authorities by providing information that could help law enforcement locate the senator, warning that individuals who knowingly assist fugitives could face charges such as obstruction of justice or harboring a fugitive.
“Pag mayroong knowledge na puwedeng itulong sa (If there is konwledge that will help) law enforcement, I urge you to help the law enforcement to locate him,” he said.
Matibag added that once Dela Rosa was arrested, the senator would be turned over to the DOJ, which would then determine the next legal steps, including matters related to the ICC proceedings connected to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
