Key facts
- Philippine presidential palace defended a 50 million peso bounty for Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa.
- Dela Rosa is wanted by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity.
- The bounty is part of an operation by the Interior Department and Philippine National Police.
- Confidential and intelligence funds could be used for the operation.
- Police have given Dela Rosa one week to surrender.
- Dela Rosa's lawyer questioned the legal basis for the bounty.
The Philippine presidential palace on Monday defended a 50 million peso ($786,646) bounty for information leading to the arrest of Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa. Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro stated the bounty is a legitimate operational strategy of the Interior Department and the Philippine National Police, which can utilize confidential and intelligence funds for such purposes. Dela Rosa is sought by the International Criminal Court for alleged crimes against humanity during the "war on drugs" he oversaw as national police chief under former President Rodrigo Duterte. He has denied the allegations and has been in hiding, with police giving him one week to surrender. His lawyer has questioned the legal basis for the bounty, demanding a Philippine court arrest warrant.