Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang defended the proposed ₱50-million bounty for information leading to the arrest of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, saying funds for law enforcement operations cannot simply be redirected to preparations for the worsening El Niño.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said the government has separate funding for disaster preparedness and law enforcement, rejecting suggestions that the reward money would be better spent helping communities affected by the prolonged dry spell.
“Ibang usapin ang patungkol sa El Niño, iba rin naman ang usapin patungkol sa paghuli sa mga dapat na mahuli,” Castro said during a press briefing in Cagayan de Oro City on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
[Translation: Addressing El Niño is a separate matter from arresting those who must be apprehended.]
The media asked Castro to respond to public suggestions that the ₱50 million offered for information on Dela Rosa’s whereabouts could instead support El Niño contingency preparations.
Castro said the two expenditures serve different purposes and should not be treated as interchangeable.
“Hindi nila pwedeng pagsamahin ang pondo para sa pagsugpo sa isyu ng El Niño at sa pagsugpo sa krimen at paghuli sa dapat na managot. So, hindi po siya pwedeng pagsamahin, magkaiba po siya,” she said.
[Translation: Funds for addressing El Niño and those for fighting crime and arresting people who must be held accountable cannot simply be combined. They are separate.]
Castro explained that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Philippine National Police (PNP) have their own mandate and access to intelligence and confidential funds for law enforcement operations.
She maintained that the president does not necessarily have to personally order the amount of a reward because the agencies are authorized to carry out their respective operations.
“Hindi ibig sabihin na dapat pang manggaling kay pangulo na magsabi na ‘ito ang dapat ninyong ibigay na bounty’ dahil ang DILG at PNP ay mayroong sariling mandato at mayroon po silang sariling pondo,” Castro said.
[Translation: It does not mean the President must personally decide how much bounty should be offered because the DILG and PNP have their own mandates and funds.]
Dela Rosa urged to surrender
The proposed reward is part of efforts to locate Dela Rosa, who is facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with its investigation into alleged crimes against humanity during the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Castro said the government was still giving the former PNP chief an opportunity to surrender voluntarily rather than force authorities to conduct further operations to locate him.
She cited information from PNP chief PGen Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. that the surrender period was intended to allow Dela Rosa to turn himself in peacefully. She also reminded the fugitive of his responsibilities as a former police chief and sitting senator.
“Bilang dating miyembro ng kapulisan, siya po ang dapat na unang gumagalang sa batas, unang nagpapatupad ng batas lalong-lalo na siya ay senador,” Castro said.
[Translation: As a former member of the police, he should be among the first to respect and uphold the law, especially since he is a senator.]
