MALACAÑANG on Wednesday urged fugitive Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to turn himself in to the authorities.
This comes after Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla warned of a potential “bloodbath” if authorities seek to forcefully arrest the senator. He added that the fugitive senator was protected by an armed group or “very powerful people” in Mindanao.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro appealed to dela Rosa to surrender.
“Just surrender so that no more blood is shed,” said Castro in Filipino.
Castro also warned organizations allegedly protecting the lawmaker, cautioning them against frustrating the rule of law and helping suspects evade justice.
“If there are groups shielding Senator Bato, this should be overcome; the necessary actions must be taken, and those who need to be arrested should be arrested,” Castro said, referring to dela Rosa by his nickname.
Asked whether armed factions shielding high-profile figures pose a national security risk, Castro emphasized that such organizations undermine state institutions and the justice system.
“Yes, definitely, absolutely — because groups like these... they are the ones destroying the institution; they are the ones undermining the enforcement of the law,” Castro said.
While declining to disclose specific intelligence regarding the identities of the armed groups involved, Castro said any violent organization aiding individuals facing legal action must be identified and held accountable under the law.
Castro warned against setting a dangerous precedent where individuals accused of crimes are harbored by private armed groups to escape prosecution.
“Is this what we want — for everyone facing potential legal charges to be taken in by organizations or groups that appear accustomed to violence?” Castro said, reaffirming the Marcos administration’s commitment to upholding the rule of law regardless of an individual’s political status.
Remulla previously admitted that he “dropped the ball” in arresting dela Rosa during the shooting incident inside the Senate in May 2026, which was the last time dela Rosa was seen in public.
He is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crime against humanity for his role in former president Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs. Duterte is awaiting trial before the ICC.
No to negotiations
Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian said on Wednesday the government should not negotiate with illegal armed groups, following reports that dela Rosa is being shielded by a heavily armed faction in Mindanao.
In an interview, Gatchalian reacted to statements from Remulla, who warned that a forceful arrest of dela Rosa could trigger massive armed clashes resulting in up to 10,000 casualties.
While acknowledging Remulla’s intent to protect human lives, Gatchalian maintained that state forces hold the ultimate authority on security.
“If these are armed groups — and they are not authorized to possess weapons — then we should not be negotiating with them,” Gatchalian said. “They certainly cannot be more heavily armed than the government.”
