PRO-Davao says viral photo of Sen. Bato at Digos cemetery is three years old

The Police Regional Office-Davao (PRO-Davao) has repeated that there was no verified sighting of Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa at Digos City Memorial Park during this year's Undas, saying a photo of the senator at the cemetery that spread online was taken about three years ago, according to SunStar.

The image, first posted on Facebook by Rey Anthony Malig-on, drew wide attention and fuelled talk that the senator had appeared in public during the All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day observance. PRO-Davao said the post was later picked up in a report by the Daily Tribune.

Police said their verification showed the photo was not taken during Undas 2026 and did not prove the senator was at the cemetery in November. Malig-on himself said in the comments of the Daily Tribune report, and in later posts on his own account, that the picture was old. His original post had drawn more than 12,000 reactions as of SunStar's press time.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) issued a similar clarification on Tuesday, November 3, after its technical team examined the image and coordinated with the uploader. PNP Public Information Office chief Police Colonel Allen Rae Co told a press briefing that the tech team confirmed "it was an old picture," and rejected claims that Dela Rosa had been seen at the Digos cemetery.

PRO-Davao Acting Regional Director Brigadier General Benigno L. Guzman urged the public to check the source and date of photos before sharing them, to avoid misinformation and confusion. The regional office said the reminder is in line with PNP Chief General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr.'s call for responsible communication.

The PNP said it continues to receive and validate information on Dela Rosa's whereabouts. Co warned that people who deliberately give false information or interfere with police operations may face legal consequences.

Public interest in the senator's location has grown following developments in International Criminal Court proceedings over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration's anti-drug campaign. Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, has been linked to the ICC investigation; the allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings. The Department of the Interior and Local Government has announced a P50-million reward for information leading to his arrest.