BI says no records of Bato dela Rosa leaving PH
The Bureau of Immigration has addressed circulating queries on Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s location after he had left the Senate building, saying there is no record of him leaving the country as of now.
In an interview on Super Radyo dzBB, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said that there are no "recently recorded" travels from dela Rosa at the country's international ports of entry and exit.
Sandoval noted, however, that there is no hold departure order yet imposed on the lawmaker, which prevents him from leaving the country.
"In terms of immigration, sa atin po, naka-lookout bulletin po siya. Wala pa pong other kinds of orders na natatanggap po ng ating ahensya," she said.
"Kapag na-encounter po natin, we need to coordinate with the necessary government agencies and kung meron pong mga arrest warrants na kailangan pong ipatupad, then 'yan po ang gagawin ng mga law enforcement agencies na kinontact po ng immigration," she added.
Should dela Rosa be spotted in the airport, however, Sandoval explained that he will be flagged under the lookout bulletin system.
"Doon sa lookout bulletin, may verification process po 'yan. Hindi po maaaring pagdating doon ay dire-diretso na sa eroplano. We have to seek confirmation with the relevant government agencies. Kaya po kung merong warrant of arrest na i-implement, then kailangan po natin hintayin 'yun for them to implement said order," she said.
She continued, "The immigration lookout bulletin in itself is an alert to our immigration officers, na kapag encountered, merong specific steps na kailangang gawin ng ating mga tauhan. It's automatic for us. It's the regular procedure na naka-alerto po tayo for any individual na naialagay po sa immigrational lookout bulletin."
The International Criminal Court confirmed its arrest warrant against dela Rosa on May 11. On the same day, the senator was placed under Senate protective custody.
On May 13, dela Rosa shared he received information he would be arrested after the day's session. A shooting incident took place that evening, however, and dela Rosa subsequently left the premises the following day in Sen. Robin Padilla's vehicle.
However, Padilla shut down claims that he helped dela Rosa with his "escape."
Dela Rosa served as the Philippine National Police chief during former president Rodrigo Duterte's term, allegedly helping him carry out the so-called drug war, for which Duterte is awaiting trial at The Hague. Duterte is charged with three counts of murder as crimes against humanity. Dela Rosa has been identified as one of Duterte's co-perpetrators and is now on the ICC wanted list.
