20 firearms from Bato under PNP custody

MANILA, Philippines — Twenty of the 117 firearms registered under fugitive Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa are now under the custody of the Philippine National Police.

The PNP Civil Security Group (CSG) said the firearms were turned over to its regional civil security unit in Davao City on June 11 by the camp of Dela Rosa.

The firearms were processed for inventory, verification of serial numbers and physical inspection.

“This underscores our continuing effort to ensure that enforcement is carried out with professionalism, transparency and due regard for proper procedures,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said in a statement.

The PNP revoked Dela Rosa’s firearms licenses after the International Criminal Court (ICC) ordered his arrest in connection with crimes against humanity during the Rodrigo Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

Nartatez said they continue to strengthen their internal systems for consistency and integrity in the enforcement of firearms laws.

“What is important is that the law is implemented clearly and properly, with respect for the process and communication with all parties,” he said in Filipino.

Brig. Gen. Aden Lagradante, CSG officer-in-charge, expects Dela Rosa’s camp will surrender his other firearms soon.

“What’s important is they have initial compliance to the policy,” he said in a message on Viber.

Meanwhile, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag yesterday challenged Dela Rosa to surrender to authorities.

“Hopefully, in surrendering his firearms, Sen. Bato also surrenders himself,” Matibag said during a press briefing at the NBI headquarters in Pasay.

He welcomed the surrender of the 20 firearms, but said all 117 guns previously registered under Dela Rosa should be turned over.

Matibag said the NBI has intensified efforts to locate the senator and recently received a new and “promising” lead on his possible whereabouts.

According to Matibag, investigators receive information on Dela Rosa’s location daily, although not all reports are validated after verification.

He declined to disclose details, saying doing so could compromise ongoing operations.