NBI chief: Dela Rosa should ‘surrender’ along with firearms

MANILA, Philippines – National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag on Monday expressed hope that Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa would surrender to authorities together with his firearms.

Matibag made the remark hours after the Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed that Dela Rosa’s camp had surrendered 20 of his 117 registered firearms.

READ: Bato Dela Rosa’s camp surrenders 20 firearms, says PNP

“Hopefully, in surrendering his firearms, Senator Bato also surrenders himself,” Matibag said in jest during a press briefing.

He also said the senator should turn over all remaining firearms.

“Twenty firearms? That’s good, but hopefully all 117 will be surrendered,” he added.

Dela Rosa is facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings during the war on drugs.

Following the issuance of the warrant, the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office revoked his registration for 117 firearms and prohibited him from owning or possessing guns. /dp