Marcos did not order ₱50-million bounty for Bato dela Rosa, Palace clarifies

ASM, Philippine Canadian Inquirer
October 27, 2026

Photo courtesy: Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa | Facebook

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. did not personally authorize the ₱50-million reward for the arrest of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Malacañang clarified on Monday, October 26, saying the decision came from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the bounty forms part of a law enforcement operation led by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and PNP officials, rather than a directive specifically issued by the President.

Castro explained that the reward would be funded through confidential and intelligence funds allocated to the DILG and PNP.

She maintained that using these funds for legitimate operations is appropriate, provided authorities can account for their activities and demonstrate results.

The clarification comes after Remulla announced the ₱50-million reward on October 23, offering the amount for information leading to Dela Rosa’s arrest.

Authorities have also given the senator one week to surrender, warning that efforts to locate him will continue even if he fails to comply.

While Marcos did not personally order the bounty, the Palace has confirmed his support for the operation to arrest Dela Rosa.

The President previously directed law enforcement agencies to act swiftly while ensuring that the arrest is carried out lawfully and without unnecessary violence.

Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has received new information about Dela Rosa’s possible whereabouts following the reward announcement.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said investigators believe the senator remains in the Philippines, although his exact location has not been publicly confirmed.

The bureau is preparing further operations based on the information received.

Matibag acknowledged that an armed confrontation remains a possibility during the arrest but stressed that authorities intend to minimize violence.

Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, has been in hiding amid an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in connection with alleged crimes against humanity during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

He served as national police chief from 2016 to 2018, overseeing the government’s controversial drug operations during the early years of Duterte’s presidency.

Dela Rosa has denied involvement in illegal killings.

Amid the intensified search, Senator Panfilo Lacson urged authorities to respect Dela Rosa’s right to due process, regardless of the allegations against him.

Lacson warned against denying the senator legal protections simply because victims of alleged extrajudicial killings were themselves deprived of justice.

The former police chief also suggested that fleeing abroad could expose Dela Rosa to greater risks of arrest because of the international nature of the ICC warrant.

For now, authorities are continuing efforts to locate the senator, with the Palace maintaining that the reward is part of the DILG and PNP’s enforcement strategy rather than a bounty personally ordered by Marcos.