Metro Manila, Philippines — Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa has been subpoenaed by the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in connection with a renewed internal probe into alleged extrajudicial killings.
CIDG operatives served the subpoena at Dela Rosa’s office in the Senate on Monday, May 11.
Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, has been absent from the Senate since November amid reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued a warrant for his arrest. The ICC considers Dela Rosa a “co-perpetrator” in the crimes against humanity case of murder involving detained former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla, who supervises the PNP, earlier said the CIDG subpoena is related to an internal investigation launched following the House of Representatives’ hearings on drug war killings. He stressed that it has nothing to do with the supposed ICC warrant, adding that the Philippine government “is not working with the ICC.”
CIDG chief investigator Larry Ray, who served the subpoena, said Dela Rosa’s staff received the document but refused to sign it, saying they had no instructions from the senator to do so.
Ray said authorities may also serve a subpoena at Dela Rosa’s residence in Davao.
A copy of the subpoena duces tecum showed that Dela Rosa was ordered to appear before the CIDG Major Crimes Investigation Unit at Camp Crame on Thursday, May 14, at 10 a.m.
The subpoena directed Dela Rosa to “clarify matters, execute a sworn statement/affidavit, submit documents and/or other relevant information in connection with the subject investigation being conducted by this Group.”
It noted that failure to comply may serve as grounds for the filing of a case for indirect contempt of court.
