Senator Bato Dela Rosa delivers a speech at a prayer rally expressing support for former president Rodrigo Duterte at the Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on March 15, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA (UPDATED) — Senate President Francis Escudero on Wednesday said the Senate is ready to augment Sen. Ronald dela Rosa's security detail after he claimed police personnel assigned to him have been pulled out.

PNP says Dela Rosa’s security recall claim is ‘fake news’

Escudero explained that, generally, senators can request additional security through the Office of the Sergeant at Arms.

"Nagre-request sila depende sa level of threat nila. [Police Security and Protection Group ] o Philippine National Police na nag-evaluate po niyan.

(They make requests depending on the level of threat. The PSPG or Philippine National Police then evaluates that)

In a Facebook post, Dela Rosa claimed that retired police officers and soldiers had been volunteering to protect him “since my security details were recalled by the PNP.”

But, Escudero said, the security personnel who were pulled out were not officially assigned to him.

"Sa kaso ni Sen. Bato, I think yung binabanggit niyang dalawang security na naka-assign sa kanya sa Davao ay accommodation lamang. Hindi talaga naka-assign sa kanya. Iba pa yung security niya dito sa Manila," Escudero said.

(In his case, I think the two personnel assigned to him in Davao are an accomodation to him. They aren't really assigned to him. He has a seprate security team in Manila)

Bato to avail of 'Senate protection' in case ICC orders his arrest

The Senate chief said that should Dela Rosa seek additional security, they are willing to help him if needed and if the senator has concerns about his security.

"Siguro, humigit kumulang 80 ang personnel ng OSAA at pwede pa kami mag-deputize ayon sa pangangailangan ng sinumang senador," he added.

(OSAA has around 80 personnel and we can deputize more people to meet the needs of any senator)

Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, is currently seeking re-election to the Senate.

WHY THE COPS WERE PULLED OUT

Police Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, Philippine National Police spokesperson, said the PSPG withdrew the two officers assigned to guard Dela Rosa in Davao City as early as January 13, contrary to the senator’s claim that he was stripped of his security escorts only recenly

She said the pullout was because of Comelec Resolution No. 11067 ordering the recall of all security details assigned to candidates. The resolution implements a prohibition in Republic Act No. 7166 on engaging security personnel and bodyguards except those that "may be assigned by the Commission, upon due application."

Fajardo said Dela Rosa still has four remaining police escorts, whose assignments were approved by Comelec.

“Depende po ‘yan sa nagiging threat assessment po if there is a need to increase the protective secutity personnel ng isang indibidwal,” she said.

(That depends on the threat assessment to determine if there is a need to increase an individual’s protective security personnel)

In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Dela Rosa claimed that retired police officers and soldiers had volunteered to protect him “since my security details were recalled by the PNP.”

Serving as the first national police chief of his former boss Rodrigo Duterte, Dela Rosa was the chief architect of the ex-president's so-called war on drugs. He is also one of the subjects of the International Criminal Court probe into the bloody campaign.

Duterte was recently arrested on an ICC warrant over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the yearslong anti-narcotics drive that led to the deaths of thousands of mostly poor suspected drug users and drug dealers.

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