Manila: The Philippine National Police's (PNP) Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO) will recommend the revocation and cancellation of the firearms licenses of Senator Ronald Dela Rosa amid the case he is facing before the International Criminal Court (ICC).

According to Philippines News Agency, in a press briefing Tuesday, Lt. Col. Domer Tadeo, FEO servicing legal officer, stated that they initiated a motu proprio investigation into the matter prior to a similar request made by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). Tadeo mentioned that FEO began the process of revoking Dela Rosa's firearms licenses and registrations last week, days before the NBI submitted its formal request.

"The FEO board recommends to cancel. The ground is under Section 4G of [Republic Act] No. 10591, that there is a pending criminal case where the imposable penalty is more than two years," Tadeo explained. Republic Act No. 10591, or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act, governs the ownership, possession, carrying, manufacture, and importation of firearms and ammunition in the country.

FEO chief Jojo Manalad is expected to make the formal recommendation within the week, after which a notice will be sent to Dela Rosa, who is currently the subject of an ICC arrest warrant. "The good senator will be notified of such cancellation. Kung gusto niya (if he wants to), he will file the necessary motion for reconsideration and he also has that option to surrender [the firearms]," Tadeo said.

Tadeo declined to disclose the number of firearms registered under Dela Rosa's name, citing that the information is "personal and protected by the Data Privacy Act." The ICC issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa in connection with crimes against humanity charges linked to deaths during the government's anti-drug campaign. Dela Rosa served as PNP chief under former president Rodrigo Duterte from 2016 to 2018.