PNP silent on rumors dela Rosa fled Manila by yacht

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday declined to comment on rumors circulating online that Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa may have left Metro Manila aboard a yacht.Speaking during a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP public information chief Col. Allen Rae Co refused to confirm or deny the rumors, saying that discussing operational details could compromise police personnel and ongoing preparations.

READ: PNP assures ‘dedicated, select team’ readied to arrest Dela Rosa

“We would not like to discuss prematurely any operations of the Philippine National Police so as not to compromise our personnel as well as the operation,” Co said.

Dela Rosa is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with his alleged participation in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, which killed up to 30,000 people, according to human rights groups.

The senator was last publicly seen leaving the Senate premises with Sen. Robin Padilla in the early hours of May 14, hours after the shooting incident inside the upper chamber’s compound.

READ: NBI to send letter instead of subpoena to Bato dela Rosa’s wife

Padilla earlier said he dropped dela Rosa off in Makati City but did not know where the former police chief went afterward.

Earlier in the day, National Bureau of Investigation director Melvin Matibag expressed caution regarding reportes that the senator may have left the country by a yacht, noting that the supposed lead could be intended to mislead authorities./dp