Manila:The Philippine National Police (PNP) emphasized its dedication to legal enforcement and proper arrest procedures following social media claims advocating for extreme actions against Senator Ronald 'Bato' dela Rosa.
According to Philippines News Agency, PNP spokesperson Allen Rae Co clarified in a press briefing at Camp Crame that a photo of Dela Rosa circulating during Undas was outdated and not indicative of a recent public appearance. Co stated that the image, confirmed by the PNP's tech team, was taken three years ago in Digos, and the original poster acknowledged its age.
Authorities are investigating the spread of this information online, assessing whether the photo was intentionally used to mislead the public. Co warned that such actions could result in legal consequences, emphasizing the importance of truthful information, especially regarding the PNP hotline.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. reiterated that police operations must adhere to legal processes, rejecting any notion of vigilante justice. He highlighted that the PNP's role is to enforce the law with due process and respect for human rights, not to take the law into their own hands.
The statement followed Cagayan de Oro 1st District Rep. Lordan Suan's denial of social media posts falsely attributing a call for a 'shoot-to-kill' order against Dela Rosa to him. Suan declared these statements as fabricated.
Dela Rosa is currently the subject of an arrest warrant related to crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court, with a surrender deadline that expired on October 30. Nartatez stressed that public demands for accountability must not compromise legal safeguards and directed police units to maintain efforts to locate Dela Rosa and execute the warrant legally.
Nartatez reiterated the ban on excessive force and underscored the necessity for police operations to observe restraint, proportionality, and human rights. He affirmed that the PNP would continue to operate professionally and impartially, upholding the credibility of law enforcement by adhering to legal boundaries.
