Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ dela Rosa has yet to surrender most of his firearms registered under his name after his gun licenses and registrations were revoked, the Philippine National Police-Civil Security Group (PNP-CSG) said on Monday.
‘From 117, they have turned in 26, so we still have 91. We are continuing our coordination with his legal officer,’ PNP-CSG Director Maj. Gen. Aden Lagradante said in a press briefing.
The PNP-Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO) canceled Dela Rosa’s firearms licenses and registrations based on the order dated May 26 and signed by FEO chief Brig. Gen. Jose Manalad Jr.
‘By our rules, [the firearms] should be surrendered, but the latest information is that they are still in the process of accounting for the remaining [ones],’ Lagradante said, adding that Dela Rosa’s camp had sought a reconsideration of the revocation through a letter to the PNP-FEO.
The PNP-FEO previously said Dela Rosa holds a Type 5 License to Own and Possess Firearms, which was originally valid until March 10, 2034, with 117 assorted firearms registered in his name.
Following the revocation, the fugitive senator and his representatives are required to turn over all firearms registered under his name to the police.
According to Section 4(g) of Republic Act No. 10591, firearm holders should not be convicted or are currently accused in a pending criminal case for a crime with a penalty lasting more than two years.
ICC arrest warrant
The National Bureau of Investigation previously submitted a formal request to nullify Dela Rosa’s firearm license on May 25 following an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Dela Rosa was asked to surrender his firearms within a notice period or upon apprehension.
The senator is charged before the ICC with crimes against humanity of murder, in connection with his involvement in the drug war under former President Rodrigo Duterte, both during Duterte’s time as Davao City mayor and later as president.
The tribunal, which has Duterte in its custody in The Hague, the Netherlands, has named Dela Rosa a ‘co-perpetrator.’