Shoot-to-kill order vs Bato? PNP sets the record straight

National

A SHOOT-to-kill order against Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa? The Philippine National Police (PNP) says no, maintaining that its efforts to arrest the former police chief will be carried out strictly within the bounds of the law.

PNP spokesman Col. Allen Rae Co denied issuing such an order, assuring the public that police would follow legal procedures in pursuing the senator.

“There is no shoot-to-kill order,” Co said during a briefing at Camp Crame, as quoted by Philstar.

He said the PNP had received numerous tips about Dela Rosa’s whereabouts, but investigators were verifying each lead. He defended the decision to keep operational details confidential, saying disclosure could compromise the manhunt and expose informants. He also agreed with Sen. Panfilo Lacson’s position that secrecy was essential to the operation.

On reports that police had visited residences of people close to Dela Rosa, Co said investigators would naturally check places frequented by the wanted senator.

He also clarified that a photograph purportedly showing Dela Rosa at a cemetery in Digos City was three years old. The PNP’s technical team verified the image’s age, citing a comment from its original uploader. The photograph went viral during the All Saints’ and All Souls’ Day break.

Co warned that those deliberately spreading false information to mislead investigators, obstruct the operation or overwhelm police hotlines could face criminal charges.

He urged the public to avoid circulating unverified reports.

Meanwhile, Malacañang challenged the PNP leadership to prove that Dela Rosa’s former position as police chief and his connections within the organization would not impede his arrest.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla recently acknowledged that Dela Rosa’s ties to the police force and his membership in the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) could complicate efforts to locate him.

Palace press officer Claire Castro said the police must enforce the arrest warrant regardless of Dela Rosa’s former position. The senator belongs to PMA “Sinagtala” Class of 1986.

“This is a challenge to the leadership of the DILG and to the leadership of the PNP and the entire police force of our country. Your mandate is to enforce the law, follow the orders given to you in accordance with the Constitution,” Castro said in the same article.

She expressed confidence in PNP chief Gen. Jose Nartatez Jr. and the police force’s ability to carry out the operation. Castro also maintained that President Marcos was not frustrated with the manhunt, as authorities continued searching for the senator.

The government has offered a P50-million bounty for Dela Rosa. A seven-day deadline for him to surrender expired on Oct. 29, while the PNP has formed task groups in all 18 regions to locate and arrest him.

Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte, meanwhile, urged the administration to make the arrest warrant public to establish its validity.

“If there is a valid warrant, then show the warrant,” Duterte said in a statement posted on Facebook.

He accused the government of applying the law selectively and warned that arresting Dela Rosa without proper legal authority could amount to kidnapping.(MyTVCebu)