Palace eyes raps over fake Bato arrest posts

Malacañang is weighing legal action against those responsible for spreading false claims that Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa had been arrested, warning that the government will not tolerate the deliberate circulation of fake news.

Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the Presidential Communications Office has launched an investigation after Secretary Dave Gomez ordered its anti-fake news desk to trace the origin and online spread of the fabricated reports.

According to Castro, investigators are examining the content of the posts, how they were disseminated, and whether they were intended to mislead the public. She added that authorities are also coordinating with mainstream media organizations to help prevent the further spread of disinformation.

“Tingnan po natin. Inaaral pa po kung ano ‘yung mga pinakalat, paano pinakalat at ano ‘yung mga mensahe. Atin po ‘yang bubusisiin… hindi po ito tutulugan ng gobyerno,” Castro said.

She said the inquiry also covers the possible involvement of internet trolls in amplifying the false reports and could lead to sanctions against those found responsible.

Castro likewise confirmed that the government’s directive to arrest Dela Rosa remains in effect, adding that efforts to locate the senator are continuing. Dela Rosa has gone into hiding after the International Criminal Court issued a warrant for his arrest over his alleged role in the Duterte administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.

Malacañang dismissed the online claims of Dela Rosa’s supposed arrest as a diversionary tactic meant to shift public attention away from the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. The Palace also noted that several personalities identified with the Vice President’s camp shared cryptic social media posts suggesting that the senator had been arrested.

Meanwhile, Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the Philippine National Police has information indicating that Dela Rosa remains in the country and that intelligence operations to determine his whereabouts are ongoing.