Jonvic Remulla says ‘considering all angles’ in finding Bato dela Rosa

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Tuesday said his department is “considering all angles” in finding Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his participation in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame on Tuesday, Remulla announced that the Philippine National Police (PNP) had arrested dismissed police officer Rafael Dumlao, the alleged mastermind in the 2016 killing of South Korean businessman Jee Ick Joo, in Quezon City.

Asked if Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, could be hiding in Metro Manila, Remulla answered, “We are considering all angles.”

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Dumlao was caught after an unnamed informant tipped off the police that he was at a residence in Pasong Tamo, according to Remulla.

He noted that the dismissed police officer had been at the Quezon City house for the past three weeks.

“It’s easier to hide in Metro Manila than in the provinces. In the provinces, if you’re a stranger, people will immediately report your presence to the village captain. In Metro Manila, no one pays attention to you,” Remulla explained in Filipino.

Dela Rosa was last seen leaving the Senate with Sen. Robin Padilla aboard the latter’s vehicle in the early hours of May 14.

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According to Padilla, Dela Rosa hitched a ride, was dropped off in Makati City, and did not say where he was going next.

“The entire country should be aware that the PNP is not stopping. The entire country should be aware that the PNP is not stopping. We are not coddling anyone,” Remulla said.

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“Whether you are a former PNP chief or a former police officer, it is not a consideration. The institution is above everything else. We are protecting the institution, and the institution did not protect Dumlao and is not protecting Dela Rosa,” /mcm

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