THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) announced on Wednesday, May 27, that it is preparing to issue subpoenas to individuals who were last with, spoke to, or had contact with Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, as authorities intensify their search for the former Philippine National Police chief.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag confirmed that the agency, together with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), recently raided a house in Barangay Balibago, Angeles City, Pampanga, which is linked to an uncle of Senator Robinhood Padilla.
“The National Bureau of Investigation is preparing to invite the people who were last with, spoke to, or had contact with Senator Bato so they can shed light on the matter. In the coming days, we will subpoena personalities who have had contact with him. We are preparing the subpoenas already at the NBI,” Matibag stated.
Intelligence reports indicated that the property was allegedly used as a hiding place by dela Rosa, who has been evading an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged crimes against humanity related to the previous administration’s war on drugs campaign. Although the senator was not found during the operation, Matibag said authorities confirmed that the raided locations are connected to dela Rosa, adding that one vehicle spotted inside the subdivision was linked to his escape from the Senate compound on May 14.
Dela Rosa resurfaced last May 11 to cast his vote for Senator Alan Peter Cayetano as the new Senate President, before reportedly fleeing using Padilla’s vehicle shortly after the shooting incident within the Senate premises.
Matibag warned that anyone found hiding, assisting, or harboring the fugitive official will face charges for obstruction of justice. “We know that aiding and abetting and harboring a fugitive from justice carry a corresponding penalty under our laws, and we will not hesitate to use it against anyone we find out is doing so,” he emphasized.
Authorities acknowledged that tracking down dela Rosa remains a challenge, given his background as a former PNP chief and his deep knowledge of law enforcement operations and protocols.
Matibag also disclosed that the NBI has moved to cancel the registration of 118 firearms under dela Rosa’s name at the PNP Firearms and Explosives Office. “It cannot be denied that he is armed and somehow we can say that he is dangerous because he’s avoiding arrest,” Matibag added, stressing that the manhunt will continue until the senator is apprehended and brought before the proper authorities.
