Senator Bato dela Rosa's wife breaks silence: ‘He needs your help, not persecution’

Nancy dela Rosa, wife of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, appealed to her husband’s former allies late Monday not to exploit the fugitive lawmaker for their personal agendas, urging them to extend assistance instead of persecution.

In a Facebook post, Nancy expressed gratitude to loyal supporters while delivering a direct plea to the senator's long-time political associates.

“I just pray that the powerful few who were also his friends would come to realize he is not their enemy nor the enemy of this state. [Please] do not use him for your personal agenda,” she wrote. “He has helped you in countless ways, and he has done you no wrong personally. He needs your help, not your persecution.”

Her emotional plea comes as law enforcement agencies step up efforts to track down the senator. Authorities have set a one-week deadline for his surrender alongside a P50-million bounty for information leading to his arrest.

Dela Rosa went into hiding following the issuance of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant, which names him as an alleged co-perpetrator in former president Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

Despite the mounting pressure, Nancy said messages from well-wishers serve as a constant reminder "that there are millions who still believe in and support" their family.

Meanwhile, key members of the Senate—including Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, JV Ejercito, and Panfilo “Ping” Lacson—have urged authorities to respect Dela Rosa’s right to due process while calling for a peaceful surrender and arrest. -Paraluman News