PNP: Bato faces arrest if he attends VP trial

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police said on Sunday the PNP is prepared to arrest Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa if he resurfaces during the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

PNP spokesman Col. Allen Rae Co said police have laid out a comprehensive security plan for the impeachment trial, which is set to begin on July 6, in coordination with the Senate and other government agencies.

“We are mandated to arrest Senator Dela Rosa. If he appears there, police will arrest him,” Co said at a press briefing at Camp Crame.

Dela Rosa resurfaced at the Senate after six months of absence to help install Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president on May 11.

The PNP has prepared a deployment plan for police personnel to ensure an orderly conduct of the impeachment trial of Duterte.

Co said the number of police officers to be assigned has yet to be finalized.

He said police have not monitored any threats or planned disruptions related to the impeachment proceedings, but the PNP remains on heightened alert.

“We will verify any report that reaches us and act accordingly,” Co said.

Dela Rosa, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, has been in hiding since May 14 after the Senate shooting.

He has been named as one of the “co-perpetrators” in the crimes against humanity case against former president Rodrigo Duterte over the drug war killings.