Law enforcement conducts manhunt operations vs Bato

MANILA, Philippines, May 28 ------ Law enforcement conducted a manhunt for Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa across Luzon.

In a statement, the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) said it searched for Dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC), in four locations.

The search was conducted by the PNP-CIDG along with the National Bureau of Investigation in Parañaque, Bulacan and Pampanga. In Pampanga, authorities searched a house in Angeles, Pampanga. The house is reportedly owned by the uncle of Sen. Robin Padilla. However, the NBI and CIDG failed to locate Dela Rosa in the said location.

Media reports say that Dela Rosa stayed until the evening before law enforcement officers arrived in Angeles, which was searched by the CIDG. Philstar.com sought confirmation from NBI Director Melvin Matibag about the matter.

The PNP Firearms and Explosives Office on Wednesday also suspended the licenses for Dela Rosa’s 117 firearms. Earlier, the CIDG also said it recommended to the Department of Justice the filing of obstruction of justice charges against Padilla, who helped Dela Rosa leave the Senate premises on May 14.

Padilla had already denied the accusations on May 22 and insisted that he just gave Dela Rosa a ride. Senate President Allan Peter Cayetano also repeatedly insisted that Padilla’s actions were not unlawful, as there is no valid Philippine warrant against Dela Rosa.

Source: philstar.com