PRO 11 says no sign of Sen. Bato dela Rosa in Davao Region; Army ready to assist if needed

The Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) said it has found no indication that Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa is in the Davao Region, even as it continues to monitor reports about his possible presence, according to Edge Davao.

PRO 11 spokesperson Major Catherine Dela Rey told the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps briefing at The Royal Mandaya Hotel in Davao City on Wednesday that police had not received any information confirming the senator's presence amid speculation about where he is. She said the regional office was only monitoring whether he was in the area, and that so far its checks had come back negative, with no recorded movement pointing to him being in the region.

At the same briefing, Major Ruben Gadut, spokesperson of the Philippine Army's 10th Infantry Division (10th ID), said the military had not been given any directive, order or request to help in an operation specifically involving Dela Rosa. "Sa ngayon, wala namang standing directives or order or request," Gadut said.

Gadut said the military would not act on unverified reports and declined to comment on speculation. He added that he could not confirm whether any 10th ID unit would take part in an operation concerning the senator, noting that authorities had not established circumstances that would call for military involvement.

He stressed that the Philippine National Police remains the lead agency in law enforcement, with the military stepping in only when necessary and authorized by law. Such support, he said, could include intelligence gathering, logistics, joint checkpoints and other activities coordinated with authorized government agencies.

Gadut cited the division's past participation in joint operations, including those involving mining-related concerns and the Bureau of Immigration, as examples of the military assisting civilian authorities. He reiterated, however, that the 10th ID has no specific instruction to take part in any operation related to Dela Rosa.