PNP chief Lt. Gen. Melencio Nartatez Jr.
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Police General Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered a full internal investigation following allegations that police personnel provided escort services for a black van believed to have transported Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa out of the Senate premises early morning on May 14.
The directive comes amid growing public scrutiny over how Dela Rosa managed to leave the legislative complex unnoticed, despite heightened security measures and the presence of law enforcement agencies seeking to serve an arrest warrant against him issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). Nartatez emphasized that the integrity of the entire police force is on the line, and assured the public that no irregularity will be overlooked or covered up.
Nartatez clarified that separate verification procedures are already underway to determine whether unauthorized assistance was indeed rendered by police members during the incident.
“Let me be absolutely clear: the Philippine National Police does not operate on blind because the integrity of our institution is at stake,” the PNP chief stated. He noted that while the Pasay City Police Chief has already submitted an initial explanation regarding the matter, he has instructed relevant investigative units to conduct an independent and thorough review. Authorities are currently cross‑referencing official logbooks, CCTV footage from surrounding areas, and radio dispatch records from that specific morning to verify movements, assignments, and actions of police units deployed in the vicinity.
The controversy surrounds Dela Rosa, who is facing an ICC arrest warrant alleging his role as a co‑perpetrator in a so‑called “common plan” under the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte to neutralize suspected criminals through extrajudicial killings nationwide.
Dela Rosa previously served as Davao City Police Chief during Duterte’s mayoral term and later headed the PNP when Duterte assumed the presidency in 2016. After Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla disclosed the existence of the warrant last November, Dela Rosa went into seclusion, only reappearing publicly last Monday to participate in the election of the new Senate leadership — an event that triggered a standoff when National Bureau of Investigation agents attempted to serve the warrant but were prevented as he sought refuge inside the Senate session hall.
For several days, Dela Rosa remained under the protective custody of the Senate, while tensions mounted between legislative authorities and law enforcement agencies.
However, before dawn on May 14, he successfully slipped out of the building and evaded monitoring, sparking questions about how the exit was coordinated and whether security personnel were complicit.
The suspicion that police units may have escorted his getaway vehicle has added further pressure on the PNP to hold its ranks accountable. Nartatez reiterated that the investigation will leave no stone unturned, and any police member found to have violated protocols or abused their authority to aid in an escape will face severe administrative and criminal charges, as the force moves to restore public trust and uphold the rule of law.
