10,000 cops prepared by DILG to arrest Bato

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has said that they are preparing 10,000 strong task force for a possible dragnet operations for the arrest of Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa if International Criminal Court (ICC) issues an arrest warrant.

Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Jonvic Remulla has disclosed that per latest information, Dela Rosa is hiding within Davao City.

“We are forming it. The unverified info just arrived this morning. It takes time to mobilize,” Remulla has earlier said.

Dragnet operation refers to a large-scale police or security operation where authorities deploy personnel across multiple areas at the same time to locate or arrest a suspect.

This is while the International Criminal Court (ICC) has clarified on Saturday that they have not issued an arrest warrant against the lawmaker.

“No public arrest warrants have been issued in relation to the situation in the Philippines,” the international court said in a statement.

The PNP has meanwhile said that they are coordinating with the DILG and other concerned agencies in ensuring that the operations to arrest Dela Rose would be carried out in compliance with established legal and operational protocols.

“Any appropriate police action, if and when necessary, shall be undertaken with full adherence to due process, the rule of law and respect for human rights,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said in a statement.

Dela Rosa is a co-accused in the cases of crimes against humanity filed in connection with the drug war that has left more than 6,000 illegal drug personalities dead in police operations, and thousands more at the hands of drug war inspired vigilante groups.

Sources: Manila Bulletin, One News, Inquirer