Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson echoed the Senate Minority’s call to avoid bloodshed in resolving the situation of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, while rejecting claims that the government’s ₱50-million reward was intended to prevent his colleague from voting in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.
In a social media post on Sunday, October 25, Lacson expressed hope that any arrest of Dela Rosa would be carried out “peacefully, without violence or tragedy.” He said the senator remained entitled to due process regardless of the accusations against him, describing Dela Rosa as a Senate colleague, former police subordinate and fellow Philippine Military Academy alumnus.
His remarks followed the appeal issued Saturday by the Senate Minority, led by Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, for dialogue between the government and Dela Rosa’s lawyers to reach a peaceful resolution.
“We believe a peaceful resolution that respects our laws and protects lives remains possible,” the minority said. The bloc offered to help facilitate discussions and urged law enforcement, Dela Rosa’s family and counsel, supporters and other concerned parties to exercise restraint and keep communication open.
In a separate interview with DWIZ on Saturday, Lacson dismissed suggestions that the bounty and surrender ultimatum were designed to keep Dela Rosa from participating in the impeachment vote.
“Bunga lang ng malilikot na isip,” Lacson said. He cited the impeachment court’s ruling excluding senators beyond its coercive power from the membership count used to calculate the required votes, saying Dela Rosa was already in that situation.
The government announced the ₱50-million reward on Friday, while police gave Dela Rosa one week to surrender. His lawyers have questioned the reward’s legal basis, arguing that no Philippine court had issued a warrant for his arrest.
The minority said it recognized the responsibilities of the Interior Secretary and police chief to uphold law and order, while maintaining that authorities could pursue justice and protect Dela Rosa’s rights without needless loss of life.