The National Bureau of Investigation identified Senator Robin Padilla as a “person of interest” in determining the whereabouts of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who slipped out of the Senate compound amid a possible arrest tied to the International Criminal Court’s investigation into the Duterte administration’s drug war.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Padilla was among those who could help shed light on dela Rosa’s location after the senator disappeared following the commotion at the Senate earlier this week.
“Automatic po ’yan pero sabi ko nga, kung meron pong unang-unang dapat tanungin, na-identify naman na si Senator Robin Padilla ’yung kasama,” Matibag said in a local interview.
“Siya po ’yung pinaka-person of interest to shed light sa whereabouts po ni Senator Bato,” he added.
Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief and key figure in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug campaign, reportedly left the Senate building hours after gunshots were heard during a lockdown at the chamber on Wednesday evening.
The senator had been under protective custody at the Senate amid reports of a possible arrest following the issuance of an ICC warrant linked to alleged crimes against humanity during the Duterte administration’s anti-drug operations.
Matibag said the NBI is coordinating closely with the Department of Justice and is awaiting instructions on the next steps regarding dela Rosa’s case.
“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,” he said.
The NBI chief also pointed to several Senate officials who may have information on dela Rosa’s escape, including Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca.
“After noong commotion diyan sa Senate, ’yung putukan, ang kasunod, nawala na po siya,” Matibag said.
He added that investigators are looking into whether the gunfire incident may have been used as a diversion to allow dela Rosa to leave the Senate premises.
“At ’yan naman ay kinumpirma ng kaniyang maybahay na sabi si Senator Bato took advantage noong situation na nagkaputukan para makaalis po ng Senado,” he said.
