The government should hope that Sen. Ronald dela Rosa would surrender or be captured today. This would end nasty speculations about what might happen – not just to him, but to certain public officials – in case he is not placed under custody once today’s deadline for his surrender expires.
Philippine National Police chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. gave Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, one week to surrender. The period ends today.
As soon as the ultimatum was given, people had wondered what would happen if it would be ignored. Asked about this, Palace press officer Claire Castro said that, well, the manhunt would continue.
That goes without saying, but the situation highlights the problem of giving an ultimatum for surrender. Perhaps Nartatez was rattled by questions on why the government has allowed what Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla described as a “powerful armed group” to operate in this country and protect Dela Rosa from arrest.
Remulla was clearly not referring to an armed group that is part of state forces. He has also drawn flak for saying that the government is negotiating with the armed group to turn over Dela Rosa rather than using force, ostensibly to prevent a “bloodbath” that could see up to 10,000 people dead.
From the moment Dela Rosa surfaced last May at the Senate after six months in hiding and then evaded arrest, the government has looked silly in its effort to place him under custody.
Along with the PNP’s one-week ultimatum, Remulla dangled a P50-million bounty for Dela Rosa’s capture. If the government already knows where the senator is hiding and is negotiating with his protectors, why offer a bounty? Will it go to the coddlers as a reward for keeping Dela Rosa safe from arrest?
The National Bureau of Investigation added to the silliness, with its chief saying the agency would not collect the P50 million if it captures Dela Rosa. But of course the NBI and its individual members cannot collect a bounty for doing their job. This is expressly prohibited under several rules and laws including the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act.
Law enforcement agencies should just focus on carrying out President Marcos’ reported directive, which is to capture Dela Rosa swiftly and without violence.