The camp of Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa is set to appeal the Philippine National Police's (PNP) decision to revoke or cancel the licenses and registrations of the former national police chief's firearms. His lawyer, Atty. Israelito Torreon, maintained that the PNP's move is illegal. According to him, a formal penalty from a court or a conviction, or an official court order, is required before an individual's license can be revoked. He stressed that no court in the Philippines has issued such a verdict or order against the senator.
Surrender of firearms
When asked if they plan to surrender the weapons, Atty. Torreon said the final decision still rests with Dela Rosa. Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 confirmed that the revocation order for Dela Rosa's License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) and firearm registrations was formally served and received by the senator's camp on Wednesday, May 27. According to PRO 11, Dela Rosa's lawyer stated that he would discuss the matter with his client and coordinate with the Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU) 11 regarding the revocation of the firearms licenses.
Root of the revocation
The revocation of the licenses stems from the ongoing pursuit of Dela Rosa amid the arrest warrant issued against him by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The PNP's action is based on the standing warrant, although Dela Rosa's camp argues that the ICC warrant is not enforceable in the Philippines since the country withdrew from the Rome Statute. The appeal process is expected to involve legal arguments questioning the PNP's authority to revoke licenses without a final court ruling.
