Manila: Malaca±ang on Wednesday dismissed rumors that Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa had been arrested, describing them as a 'diversionary tactic' meant to shift public attention away from the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte.

According to Philippines News Agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro urged the public to rely on verified reports from mainstream media instead of unverified social media posts, specifically from Duterte's allies. Castro emphasized the importance of verifying the source and motive behind these rumors before accepting them as truth.

The Philippine National Police, the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the National Bureau of Investigation have all denied reports that Dela Rosa was in government custody. DOJ Secretary Fredderick Vida stated in a media interview that his office has no information regarding Dela Rosa's alleged arrest, indicating that it is primarily a law enforcement issue at this time.

Castro accused allies of the Vice President of timing these rumors to divert attention from recent Commission on Audit (COA) revelations concerning Duterte's spending of confidential funds. She criticized posts circulated by individuals like Atty. Jimmy Bondoc and Harry Roque for lacking substance and context.

Dela Rosa has been in hiding since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant against him over his alleged role in the Duterte administration's anti-illegal drugs campaign. Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla also refuted reports of Dela Rosa's arrest, confirming that the senator remains at large and is being pursued by authorities.

Remulla assured the media that they would be informed immediately upon Dela Rosa's arrest, emphasizing the transparency and adherence to the rule of law in their operations. He noted that based on the tracker team's information, Dela Rosa is still monitored in the Mindanao area.