NBI nabs man who gave false Bato leads

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) arrested a man who claimed to know the whereabouts of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

The suspect, who has an outstanding arrest warrant for estafa in Isabela, called on Executive Secretary Ralph Recto to offer leads on the senator’s location.

Recto redirected the man, whose name is withheld, to NBI Director Melvin Matibag.

The NBI is among the government agencies hunting Dela Rosa over charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court.

“In our first talk, (the man) appeared to be believable because he portrayed himself as a father taking care of his sick child. He claims, based maybe on what he read from the news, to be working for (former) governor Chavit (Singson),” Matibag said at a briefing on Friday.

Matibag sent an initial P10,000 to help him with his child’s medical expenses, but the NBI chief alerted his agents after sensing the suspect was out to scam government officials.

“After I sent the money, he was asking for larger amounts. I was setting him up to meet with me, but he might have noticed that. He suddenly vanished,” Matibag said.

Agents from the NBI-Organized and Transnational Crimes Division nabbed the suspect at his condominium unit in Novaliches in Quezon City on May 19.

During the operation, agents seized several sachets of shabu from the man.

Matibag said it is alarming that the suspect has the contact numbers of several high-ranking officials, adding that this could be used to take advantage of the current political situation and extort money.

“Let this be a warning to the people who give false leads about Senator Bato’s whereabouts or other fugitives of justice. Think twice because we will make sure you’ll be held accountable under the law. You will be arrested,” Matibag said.