NATIONAL Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag revealed on Friday that Senator Robin Padilla has been designated as a “person of interest” regarding the location and movements of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who managed to leave the Senate premises in the early hours of Thursday.
Dela Rosa’s departure came amid high security tensions and fears of an arrest attempt, following the issuance of a warrant by the International Criminal Court in connection with his role in the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign. Matibag confirmed that monitoring Dela Rosa’s status is a standard procedure but identified Padilla as the key individual who can provide critical information.
“Automatic po ‘yan pero sabi ko nga, kung meron pong unang‑unang dapat tanungin, na‑identify naman na si Senator Robin Padilla ‘yung kasama… Siya po ‘yung pinaka‑person of interest to shed light sa whereabouts po ni Senator Bato,” Matibag stated during an interview on Unang Balita.
According to Matibag, Padilla was the last known companion of Dela Rosa before the latter slipped out of the Senate complex at around 2:30 a.m., an exit that remained largely unnoticed by authorities and the media covering the standoff. Because of his close association and presence during the final hours Dela Rosa spent inside the legislative building, Padilla is now viewed as the primary source of information needed to piece together exactly when, how, and under what arrangements the senator was able to leave undetected. Matibag emphasized that while the bureau is actively tracking developments, Padilla remains the most logical and important person to approach for clarifications, describing him explicitly as the person of interest in the investigation.
The NBI chief also clarified that all actions concerning this matter are being carried out under the direct guidance and instructions of the Department of Justice (DOJ). “In the proper time gagawin po natin ‘yan. Malinaw naman po ‘yung sinasabi namin lagi na we are following instructions from the higher‑ups, sa DOJ po ‘yung pinaka‑main coordination dito so doon po tayo,” Matibag said, stressing that the agency will act only at the appropriate time and in accordance with official directives.
This coordinated approach underscores the sensitivity of the case, which involves not just a serving senator but also complex issues surrounding international warrants, state jurisdiction, and the extent of legal powers within government institutions.
When pressed on where Dela Rosa might be currently staying or heading, Matibag deflected the question back to those who were in charge or present during the escape.
Aside from Padilla, he named Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and acting Senate Sergeant‑at‑Arms Mao Aplasca — who was recently suspended by the Ombudsman over the May 13 shooting incident — as the other officials who hold the answers regarding Dela Rosa’s departure and current location.
Their testimonies and accounts, along with Padilla’s, are now seen as vital to determining whether the exit was a legitimate exercise of privilege or a coordinated effort to evade legal process, as authorities continue to pursue the case in line with national laws and international obligations.
