DILG mulls reward for Bato Dela Rosa arrest

MANILA, Philippines — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Friday said his department was considering a reward for the arrest of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

Dela Rosa is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with his alleged participation in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs.

As the search for dela Rosa enters its second week, asked whether the government was considering a reward for his capture, Remulla told reporters in Camp Karingal in Quezon City, “That’s possible. We are considering that.”

READ: Jonvic Remulla to Bato Dela Rosa: ‘Please surrender’

“But, apparently, it is not effective yet. But, apparently, it is not effective yet. So, we’ll see what needs to be done,” the DILG chief further said.

Dela Rosa resurfaced at the Senate on May 11 after six months away from the chamber to avoid ICC arrest, but he went back into hiding after leaving the Senate in the early hours of May 14.

On May 20, the Department of Justice ordered the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation to enforce the ICC warrant against dela Rosa.

The DILG most recently offered a P20-million reward for information leading to the arrest of gambling tycoon Atong Ang, who is wanted over kidnapping charges in connection with the reported kidnapping and killing of at least 34 cockfighting aficionados (sabungeros).

But, Ang remains at large, while all his 20 co-accused were taken into custody last January. /mr