DILG orders subpoena vs Bato dela Rosa over drug war killings

Metro Manila, Philippines –  The Department of the Interior and Local Government said the Philippine National Police will subpoena Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as part of a renewed investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings linked to the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced Sunday that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group will issue a subpoena to dela Rosa ordering him to personally appear before investigators.

“Finally, in conclusion, the CIDG will issue a subpoena tomorrow to General dela Rosa to appear personally before the CIDG office here in aid of investigation of the previous crimes,” Remulla said during a press briefing.

“I repeat, this is not an arrest warrant but a subpoena for the Senator and former Chief of Police,” he added.

Remulla said the investigation would be based partly on the findings of the House Quad Committee hearings and complaints related to alleged extrajudicial killings during Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

“So noong nakaraan we have a QuadCom report with regards to EJK and other related incidents,” Remulla said.

[Translation: Previously, we had a [House] Quad Committee report regarding EJKs and other related incidents.]

“We’ll be conducting investigation in pursuit of those reports, especially the report of the QuadCom,” he added.

The DILG chief said dela Rosa would be the first among several personalities expected to receive subpoenas.

“He will be the first one,” Remulla said.

“There are over a hundred cases. We will issue succeeding subpoenas in the coming days,” he added.

Dela Rosa served as Philippine National Police chief and was considered the main architect of Duterte’s anti-drug campaign.

Remulla said authorities are investigating cases linked to dela Rosa’s tenure as Davao police chief and regional director.

“It’s all related to the 100 plus complaints of EJK that occurred during his term as City Director and Regional Director of Davao,” he said.

The Interior secretary stressed that the investigation is a domestic process and not connected to the International Criminal Court.

“I will repeat, we are not a member of the ICC. We are not working with the ICC. This is a purely internal matter that we are doing,” Remulla said.

He said the renewed investigation was triggered by ongoing public discussions and rumors surrounding a possible ICC arrest warrant or Interpol red notice against dela Rosa.

“This was triggered again by the rumors of the impending red notice and we have now taken the path ourselves to continue the investigation of these matters,” Remulla said.

“We have to put a stop to all of this chatter,” he added.

Remulla also emphasized that the government wants to establish accountability over killings linked to the anti-drug campaign.

“This is the start of the process to find accountability for everything that happened in those years, in the dark years where EJK became a state policy,” he added.