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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Honor thy badge and uniform: Bato urged to respect PNP arresting teams when the time comes

Honor thy badge and uniform: Bato urged to respect PNP arresting teams when the time comes

Published May 24, 2026 12:40 pm
photo: PNP
photo: PNP
When the time comes that policemen would chance upon Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is hoping that the lawmaker will honor and respect the process as a former top cop.
Authorities consider Dela Rosa as armed and dangerous and PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said they hope that the senator would honor the badge and uniform he used to wear and the institution he used to serve to ensure a peaceful resolution amid the ongoing operation to track him down.
“Our ranks maintain an institutional respect for Senator Bato as our former head of the PNP and it is precisely that shared respect for the badge that guides our approach,” said Nartatez.
“We are appealing to his enduring sense of duty as a lifelong law enforcer to ensure this legal process is resolved with the utmost dignity,” he added.
Dela Rosa served as the first PNP chief of former president Rodrigo Duterte who is now detained at the Hague for crimes against humanity over the bloody drug war which the former allegedly implemented on national level. 
The police organization continues to coordinate with other law enforcement units to monitor Dela Rosa’s whereabouts since the latter remains out of public view amid legal developments tied to the International Criminal Court (ICC) probe.
Reports earlier quoted officials as saying that the senator should be considered “presumed armed and dangerous” due to his law enforcement background and firearm access.
The PNP, however, emphasized that all actions on the ground must remain within operational protocols and human rights standards.
Nartatez also directed regional and local police units to exercise maximum restraint and avoid unnecessary escalation in the event officers encounter the senator.
“Senator Dela Rosa knows better than anyone the weight of the uniform and the oath our officers take to uphold the law. Just as our men and women in uniform honor his legacy as their former top cop, we ask that he honor their current duty by cooperating fully,” said Nartatez.
Nartatez maintained that authorities remain hopeful that the situation can still be resolved peacefully, “We are handling this strictly by the book, keeping communication open, and we strongly believe a peaceful and orderly outcome is entirely within reach.”

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Bato dela Rosa PNP drug war ICC arrest warrant
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