Former Philippine National Police chief and Senator Panfilo Lacson has called on law enforcement agencies to improve their intelligence operations in tracking down Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is currently facing an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

In a radio interview, Lacson stressed that agencies such as the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and even the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) should enhance their coordination and intelligence gathering capabilities to ensure the successful execution of the warrant.

Lacson pointed out what he described as operational lapses, including the alleged deployment of female NBI agents in an attempt to serve the warrant, which reportedly did not succeed.

According to earlier statements from NBI Director Melvin Matibag, Dela Rosa allegedly pushed the agents before evading arrest, though this account has been disputed regarding the exact circumstances of the encounter.The senator also resurfaced briefly during a Senate leadership vote before again going into hiding, amid ongoing efforts to locate him.

The NBI has classified Dela Rosa as “armed and dangerous,” though officials clarified that this is a standard precaution applied to all individuals subject to warrant service.

Lacson, who previously worked closely with Dela Rosa during their police service, remarked that while the senator should take steps to avoid capture, law enforcement must likewise improve their operational effectiveness.

The ICC warrant stems from allegations linking Dela Rosa, alongside former President Rodrigo Duterte, to crimes against humanity involving murder during the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign from 2016 to 2018.Despite the warrant, Dela Rosa’s camp maintains that it is not enforceable in the Philippines.Authorities have confirmed that no hold departure order has been issued, and he remains under a lookout bulletin.

The situation continues to draw attention as law enforcement agencies intensify efforts to locate him while legal and jurisdictional questions surrounding the ICC warrant persist.