Bato not found in PNP, NBI raids

MANILA, Philippines — Joint teams from the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conducted simultaneous raids on suspected hideouts of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in Metro Manila and Central Luzon yesterday, including a house in Angeles City reportedly owned by Sen. Robinhood Padilla’s relative.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said in a Viber message that a house in Barangay Moonwalk in Parañaque and another residence in Bulacan were among the raided locations.

He did not disclose other details as it might jeopardize ongoing operations to arrest Dela Rosa.

The CIDG said there was another operation in Parañaque but did not reveal the location.

At around 6 a.m. yesterday, law enforcement officers swooped in on a house at Diamond Subdivision in Barangay Balibago in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Balibago barangay chairman Joseph Ponce told reporters in a phone interview the house is owned by a certain Lakay Cariño, an uncle of Padilla’s, Dela Rosa’s close ally.

Before the operatives went in, Ponce said police officers coordinated with barangay officials to ensure they had cordoned off the house.

Ponce said the CIDG and NBI officers suspected the pickup truck parked in the house was the same vehicle where Dela Rosa transferred after he left the Senate.

Dela Rosa was not present in the house and the operatives left the scene at around 6:30 a.m.

“(The operation) was stable, there was no commotion as it was still early and people were still asleep,” Ponce said.

The Philippine National Police has kept mum about its operations to arrest Dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity in connection with former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

Meanwhile, Dela Rosa’s counsel Israelito Torreon objected anew to the “armed and dangerous” classification of his client, as it has allegedly activated “protocols that authorize lethal approach.”

Revoked

As operatives continue the manhunt for Dela Rosa, the PNP’s Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) has revoked the firearms license and registration of the senator.

In a two-page order dated May 26, FEO director Brig. Gen. Jose Manalad Jr. also ordered the confiscation of 117 firearms registered under Dela Rosa’s name.

Manalad cited Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition, wherein a person with a pending criminal case with an imposable penalty of more than two years’ imprisonment would result in revocation of a person’s gun license.

“The filing of this criminal charge constitutes a distinct, independent and sufficient legal ground for the mandatory revocation, cancellation or suspension of any existing firearm license and/or firearm registration issued in favor of the respondent,” Manalad said in his order.

Manalad added the ownership and possession of firearms are merely a privilege and not a vested right. He has issued a letter of notice for Dela Rosa’s compliance.

Truth Commission

Meanwhile, an independent and civilian-led Philippine Truth and Reconciliation Commission was launched yesterday to document extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the country, especially during the deadly campaign against illegal drugs of the previous administration.

The Truth Commission would be led by civilians who are experts in their respective fields, with Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David as adviser and former ICC judge Raul Pangalangan as chairman.

Forensic doctor Raquel Fortun is among the members. –  Mark Ernest Villeza, Evelyn Macairan, Janvic Mateo