NBI tells Bato: How about personally surrendering your 97 remaining guns?
The camp of Dela Rosa earlier turned over 20 firearms to PNP
Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa (Senate PRIB photo)
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was not impressed with the alleged cooperation shown by the camp of Sen. Ronaldo “Bato” Dela Rosa when it surrendered 20 firearms under his name.
For NBI director Melvin Matibag, what’s even more laudable is for Dela Rosa to man up and face his case before the International Criminal Court (ICC) to know once and for all if his arguments on drug war have solid legal grounds.
“It’s good but it’s even better if he surrenders all the 117 firearms registered to him,” said Matibag.
“And hopefully, he would surrender with his remaining firearms,” he stressed.
Matibag was reacting to the report that the camp of Dela Rosa turned over 20 firearms to the Philippine National Police through the Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU) 11 in Davao Region.
The move was part of the implementation of the Notice and Order of Revocation of License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) and firearm registrations.
In a statement, the PNP-Civil Security Group (CSG) a total of 20 firearms were accounted for, properly recorded, and issued with corresponding acknowledgment receipts before being transported to the RCSU (Regional Civil Security Unit) 11 office at Camp Sgt. Quintin M. Merecido, Buhangin, Davao City.
“They (the guns) are now under official custody for safekeeping in accordance with PNP rules and procedures. The process was conducted in an orderly manner, ensuring that all procedures were properly observed and fully documented,” ” it added.
Both the NBI and the PNP are running after Dela Rosa since his controversial escape from Senate protective custody on May 14, or a few hours after the gunfire, which some people alleged to have been staged.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) earlier said that Senate gunfire and the escape of Dela Rosa were connected.
The CIDG recommended the filing of charges against Sen. Robin Padilla and at least five others, including his two relatives and a former military officer.