3 weeks ago
8
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa speaks to reporters during an ambush interview at the Senate Building on May 13, 2026, where he recites the Philippine Military Academy hymn and appeals for understanding and support from fellow members of the uniformed services amid the ongoing issue.
The Philippine STAR / Ryan Baldemor
MANILA, Philippines — The revocation of the firearms privilege of Sen. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa has been served in Davao City, the Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) said.
In a statement on Thursday, May 28, the PRO 11 confirmed that the order was implemented on Wednesday, May 27.
According to the PRO 11 memorandum, the Regional Civil Security Unit 11 (RCSU 11) received the revocation order via electronic mail on May 26.
Upon receipt, Police Colonel Jomar Alexis Yap, Chief of RCSU 11, immediately notified PRO 11 Regional Director, Police Brigadier General Leon Victor Rosete, to prepare for its immediate implementation.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) on May 26 revoked the firearms license and registration of Dela Rosa, who is a former PNP chief.
According to the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office, Dela Rosa owns 117 firearms.
In response, lawyer Israelito Torreon, counsel of Dela Rosa, said that they will appeal before the PNP the order revoking Dela Rosa's firearms.
Torreon assailed the grounds of revocation by the PNP, which is under Section 4 of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
According to Torreon, the criteria for acquiring a license are separate from the grounds for losing one, as detailed in two distinct sections.
He explained that Section 4 outlines the requisites for obtaining a license, while Section 39 specifically lists ten grounds for revocation.
Torreon emphasized that having a pending criminal court case is not included among those grounds; rather, the only criminal-related justifications for revocation are an actual conviction under Section 39(b) or a direct court order under Section 39(j).
"Senator Dela Rosa has been convicted of nothing. No Philippine court has issued any order against him," he said.
In response, PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group National Capital Region Director Col. John Guiagui said that they respect Dela Rosa's camp's opposition to the revocation.
However, he said that the police will confiscate the fugitive lawmaker's firearms if he does not surrender them.
"We stand by our position to revoke the licenses of Sen. Bato Dela Rosa," Guiagi said.
Dela Rosa is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity of murder over the killings of at least 32 people committed between July 2016 and April 2018 under then-President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war.
