AUTHORITIES have officially taken custody of 20 firearms belonging to Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa following the revocation of his gun privileges in connection with the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court against him.
The voluntary handover took place on June 11, 2026, at the former PNP chief’s residence in Barangay Ma-a, Davao City.
The turnover serves as the culmination of an enforcement order initiated late last month by the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office (FEO).
Timeline of de-escalation of Dela Rosa’s gun privileges:
- May 26, 2026: PNP FEO issues LTOPF & Registration Revocation Order via email.
- May 27, 2026: Regional Civil Security Unit (RCSU XI) officially serves the order on legal counsel.
- June 11, 2026: Dela Rosa’s camp voluntarily surrenders 20 firearms for safekeeping.
The process began on May 26, when the RCSU XI received an electronic directive ordering the immediate cancellation of Dela Rosa’s License to Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) and corresponding registrations.
The following day, May 27, RCSU XI chief Colonel Jomar Alexis A. Yap—in coordination with Police Regional Office XI director Brigadier General Leon Victor Z. Rosete—officially served the revocation order to Dela Rosa’s legal representative, Atty. Vicente Adrian Pajaro.
Two weeks after the order was served, Dela Rosa’s legal team coordinated the handover of the weapons. RCSU XI operatives conducted an on-site inventory of the surrendered firearms, cross-checking the serial numbers with the documents before issuing formal acknowledgment receipts.
The cache was subsequently transported to the RCSU XI headquarters at Camp Sgt. Quintin M. Merecido in Buhangin, Davao City, for custody.
PNP Director General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. praised the police and the senator’s camp for an incident-free process.
“What is vital is that the law is enforced clearly and orderly, with total respect for due process and coordination with all parties involved,” Nartatez said in a statement. “This underscores our continuing effort to ensure that enforcement is carried out with professionalism, transparency, and due regard for proper procedures.”
For his part, Rosete mirrored the sentiment, declaring that the operation was executed with the “highest degree of professionalism” and remained entirely fair and impartial.
The revocation and subsequent safekeeping operation align with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to tighten institutional firearms controls and bolster nationwide public safety through Enhanced Managing Police Operations.
The PNP has not publicly disclosed the exact administrative grounds that triggered the initial revocation of the high-profile lawmaker’s gun licenses.
