Philippines announces P50-million bounty for Senator Dela Rosa

The Philippine government has announced a P50-million bounty for information leading to the arrest of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla declared the senator “armed and dangerous” during a press briefing, noting that the reward would be funded through intelligence funds from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Legal challenges have emerged regarding the legality of the bounty. Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque argued that using government funds for the reward constitutes graft, as no Regional Trial Court (RTC) has issued an arrest warrant. Roque noted that the authorities are acting on warrants from the International Criminal Court (ICC) rather than domestic courts.

Dela Rosa’s lawyer, Israelito Torreon, warned that the bounty and official characterization of the senator as dangerous could incite vigilante violence. Torreon argued that the senator is demanding the presentation of a warrant issued by a Philippine court and maintained that domestic courts hold jurisdiction over crimes against humanity under Republic Act No. 9851.