On Palawan, the species is common in primary lowland forest from near sea level up to at least 700 m asl (Esselstyn et al. 2004), and has also been collected in primary forests in Indonesia (I. Maryanto pers. comm. 2006). It roosts in caves, often in large numbers, with colonies of hundreds or thousands (Payne et al. 1985, Esselstyn et al. 2004, Maryanto pers. comm. 2006). Of 135 adult females captured at one site in December 1999, eight were pregnant (Esselstyn et al. 2004).

This species has been recorded from Borneo, Madura, and recently also from Palawan in the Philippines (Esselstyn et al. 2004). It has been reported from various sites in East Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) by Yasuma (1994). In Sabah there are known from lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Reserve, Madai Forest Reserve, Imbak Canyon, Pulau Bangi (Rahman and Abdullah 2002). In Sarawak this species has been recorded in Niah National Park, Mulu National Park, Gunung Gading National Park dan juga Lesung National Park (Shazali et al. 2018). It is unclear whether the species occurs throughout Borneo or whether it is restricted to areas with caves. It has also been collected from Nusa Penida, Semau, Roti (I. Maryanto pers. comm. 2006). Confirmation is required as to whether the record from Flores is R. creaghi or R. canuti (Suyanto 1998). Records from Timor are provisionally assigned to R. canuti.

The species occurs in many of protected areas throughout its distribution, however as it is a cave dependent species, there is a need to protect these sensitive sites from mining and over exploitation of cave tourism.