The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it is proceeding with extreme caution in verifying online rumors that Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is in hiding while facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC), was spotted aboard a yacht en route to a province, warning that the tip could be a smoke screen to throw off law enforcers.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the agency has yet to confirm the information that dela Rosa boarded a luxury vessel and sped off to Batangas after he secretly left the Senate compound in the early hours of May 14.

“Let’s check first. I haven’t seen that yet. Maybe we’re being misled, so we are being careful,” Matibag said.

The NBI chief said they continue to verify the report while efforts to locate the senator remain ongoing.

The issue surfaced after rumors emerged that dela Rosa was allegedly seen aboard a yacht traveling out of Metro Manila.

The senator is facing an ICC arrest warrant tied to the deadly anti-drug campaign during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, where he served as the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) enforcing the drug war.

Earlier, Senator Robinhood Padilla also denied circulating claims that after escorting dela Rosa out of the Senate compound, the latter went to a yacht club and boarded a yacht bound for Batangas.

The NBI said it is coordinating with other agencies to determine dela Rosa’s whereabouts. Last week, the agency said it arrested a man who allegedly gave false information about the senator’s whereabouts in exchange for a hefty sum.

For now, the NBI said its verification efforts are focused on separating credible leads from information that may be intended to mislead the investigation.