PNP Renews Surrender Appeal to Sen. Bato dela Rosa Ahead of Friday Ultimatum, Defends P50-Million Bounty
BATO DELA ROSA – The Philippine National Police on Thursday, October 29, 2026, renewed its appeal for Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to surrender voluntarily, a day before the one-week ultimatum for him to turn himself in runs out on Friday, October 30.
“Let’s end this with dignity on your part,” PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Allen Rae Co said, urging the senator to avoid any violent encounter. He said police want to prevent injuries and, in the worst case, deaths during the operation.
Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, is wanted by the International Criminal Court over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the previous administration’s drug war. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced a P50-million reward on October 23 for information leading to his arrest, and police have since opened hotlines for tips on his whereabouts.
Co defended the bounty against concerns raised by the senator’s lawyer, Israelito Torreon, that it could push armed civilians to take matters into their own hands. He said the reward is only for tips on the senator’s location. “Wala naman sinabi doon na you take him yourself or you arrest him yourself,” Co said.
He added that police have not yet released a wanted poster. “Sino ba hindi nakakakilala sa itsura ni Sen. Bato?” he asked. Co also explained that dela Rosa was tagged “armed and dangerous” because he allegedly still has more than 90 firearms and has kept evading arrest.
On the other side, dela Rosa’s camp has again asked the Supreme Court to stop his arrest. In a 15-page manifestation, Torreon argued that the bounty and the “armed and dangerous” label put the senator’s life in serious danger, and asked the court to reverse its May 2026 denial of his plea for a temporary restraining order.
The PNP said it respects the senator’s right to argue his case but will act on the existing warrant. “Everybody is entitled to their own legal opinion,” Co said. Related: Marcos Orders Lawful, Non-Violent Arrest of Sen. Bato dela Rosa.