PNP Asked to Seize Bato’s Arms Cache

FOR AS LONG as the Philippine National Police (PNP) has yet to confiscate 118 firearms supposedly owned by Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) hinted at “taking extreme caution” in dealing with the arrest of the fugitive lawmaker.

This comes as the NBI urged the PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez to immediately revoke licenses covering all 118 firearms allegedly owned by Dela Rosa.

The bureau also asked Nartatez to issue an order for the immediate surrender of the firearms within 48 hours. Beyond the two-day deadline, the NBI urged the PNP to — at the very least – seize them.

NBI director Melvin Matibag said Dela Rosa has been disqualified from possessing guns under Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, following the issuance of his warrant of arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Matibag earlier described Dela Rosa as “armed and dangerous,” citing possession of high-powered firearms including semi-automatic and select fire rifles, UZI submachine gun variants, .338 caliber rifles, battlefield-grade shotguns, and a broad array of handguns.

The firearms, Matibad further claimed, are mostly kept at Dela Rosa’s registered address in Davao City, Davao del Sur.

Citing Section 4(g) of RA 10501, Matibag said individuals absolutely prohibited from owning, possessing, or carrying firearms include “any person who is accused in a pending criminal case before any court of law for a crime that is punishable with a penalty of imprisonment of more than two years.”

Criminal cases filed against Dela Rosa are punishable by imprisonment of up to 30 years or, in cases of extreme gravity, life imprisonment.

“His license is therefore void as a matter of law, and its cancellation is not a matter of administrative discretion but a legal obligation of the FEO (Firearms and Explosives Office),” he quipped.