MANILA, Philippines – Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced a ₱50-million reward for the arrest of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Friday, October 23, as authorities continue efforts to locate the lawmaker over an outstanding International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.

Remulla also described Dela Rosa as “armed and dangerous,” raising concerns about the risks involved in taking the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief into custody.

Dela Rosa is wanted by the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity of murder connected to the anti-drug campaign of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The senator has remained out of public view since leaving the Senate premises on May 14, following an attempt by authorities to serve the ICC warrant. He has not been convicted of the allegations.

Government previously warned of possible armed confrontation

The latest announcement follows Remulla's earlier disclosure that Dela Rosa was believed to be in Mindanao under the protection of a powerful armed group.

On October 19, the DILG chief said authorities were pursuing negotiations to secure the senator's surrender, warning that a forced operation could lead to casualties and potentially wider violence.

Remulla also acknowledged that authorities missed an opportunity to arrest Dela Rosa when he resurfaced at the Senate in May.

The ICC arrest warrant was publicly unsealed on May 11. Dela Rosa subsequently left the Senate complex in the early hours of May 14 while authorities were attempting to take him into custody.

The National Bureau of Investigation had previously classified Dela Rosa as “armed and dangerous” during the manhunt in May. At the time, NBI Director Melvin Matibag explained that the classification was a precautionary assessment used when serving warrants, rather than confirmation that a subject was carrying a weapon.

The ₱50-million reward marks a new development in the government's efforts to secure Dela Rosa's arrest, although the terms and procedures for claiming the reward were not specified in the reference.

Authorities have yet to announce that the senator has been taken into custody.

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