Manila:President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has called for 'swift and aggressive' police action to enforce the law and arrest Senator Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa, as announced by Malacañang on Saturday, emphasizing that no time should be wasted in the operation.

According to Philippines News agency, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro stated in a statement that President Marcos has ordered faster and more aggressive action by the police to enforce the law and arrest those who must be arrested.

Castro conveyed the President's support for the actions of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Justice (DOJ), and law enforcement agencies in pursuing Dela Rosa's arrest. This statement followed the government's announcement of a PHP50-million bounty for Dela Rosa's capture, who has been declared the country's 'most wanted person' by the DILG and classified as 'armed and dangerous.'

Dela Rosa, last seen in public at the Senate in May, has an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court due to his alleged involvement in the drug war under President Rodrigo R. Duterte's administration. Authorities have given him one week to surrender.

The Senate minority bloc has appealed to President Marcos and concerned agencies to work with Dela Rosa's legal counsel toward a peaceful resolution that respects the law, protects lives, and upholds the senator's rights. Despite this, Castro emphasized the need for decisive action by law enforcement and expressed dismay at those who allegedly aided Dela Rosa's escape from the Senate premises.

Castro also stressed that there should be no casualties in the police's performance of their duties and urged those involved to stop resisting authorities. She reiterated the President's support for swift actions by the DILG, DOJ, and law enforcement, highlighting the urgency of the situation.