NBI Denies Davao Operation Was to Arrest Bato Dela Rosa
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag clarified that the agency’s operation in Davao City on August 14, 2026, was not conducted to arrest Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, despite rumors circulating online.
Matibag said the NBI went to Davao City to conduct an operation at Davao Mighty Steel Corporation, a steel manufacturing facility allegedly involved in supplying substandard steel products. He stressed that the operation was focused on the steel company, not Dela Rosa.
The NBI director also confirmed that a separate team continues to monitor Dela Rosa’s whereabouts. According to Matibag, the team has identified and is watching several areas where the senator may be located.
Matibag did not reveal Dela Rosa’s exact location but said the senator is believed to still be in the Philippines. He added that the NBI could launch an operation once authorities are certain of his location.
The clarification followed reports that Dela Rosa had allegedly been arrested on August 4. The reports were denied by the Department of Justice, Philippine National Police, NBI, and other government agencies.
Matibag’s statement separates the Davao operation from the NBI’s efforts to locate Dela Rosa. The agency’s presence in the city was related to its investigation into the steel manufacturing facility and its alleged distribution of substandard steel products.
Meanwhile, the NBI continues to track Dela Rosa as authorities work to confirm his whereabouts. No specific location has been publicly disclosed, and the NBI has not announced any arrest operation against the senator.
For now, authorities maintain that Dela Rosa remains in the Philippines, while the NBI tracking team continues its surveillance. Any operation against him, according to Matibag, will depend on authorities first confirming his exact location.
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