Lacson on Bato manhunt info: Shhh

MANILA, Philippines — As Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa continues to ignore an ultimatum for him to peacefully surrender, authorities were cautioned yesterday against publicizing details of ongoing efforts to capture the lawmaker.

According to Sen. Panfilo Lacson, strict operational secrecy is key to successfully nabbing Dela Rosa.

“SSSHHH… : When pursuing a high-profile target or handling a sensitive live case, secrecy discipline is key – unless disinformation is necessary to flush the quarry into the open,” Lacson said in a social media post yesterday.

The former Philippine National Police chief issued the reminder to law enforcement agencies as operations against his former subordinate intensified following the lapse of a one-week surrender ultimatum on Friday.

Lacson said sensitive details should only be leaked to the public if it serves as a calculated strategy to draw the target out of hiding.

The government recently offered a P50-million bounty for information leading to Dela Rosa’s arrest. He has a standing arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court for being a co-conspirator of former president Rodrigo Duterte on crimes against humanity charges.

Dela Rosa has been largely absent from the Senate since late last year. He briefly resurfaced on May 11 to vote for the chamber’s leadership change but fled the premises two days later following a shooting incident at the Senate grounds – an incident seen by critics as a smokescreen for his escape.

The government considers Dela Rosa “armed and dangerous” on account of the cache of firearms he has yet to return to authorities, and an armed group in Mindanao that is allegedly harboring him.