A subpoena has been issued against Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa in connection with alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs), the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) confirmed.
PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said the subpoena, dated May 10, directs Dela Rosa to appear before the CIDG headquarters at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Thursday at 10 a.m.
The development comes amid reports claiming that the International Criminal Court had issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa, claims that officials have denied.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier disclosed the issuance of the subpoena, saying the investigation stemmed from rumors surrounding a possible ICC red notice.
“He has not been personally investigated. This was triggered by the rumors of the impending red notice, and we have taken now the path ourselves to continue the investigation on all these matters,” Remulla said.
According to Remulla, the investigation is tied to over 100 complaints involving alleged EJKs during Dela Rosa’s tenure as Davao City police director and regional director.
He clarified that the CIDG probe is independent and not connected to the ICC.
“We are not a member of the ICC. We are not working with the ICC. This is a purely internal matter that we are doing,” he said.
CIDG personnel served copies of the subpoena both at Dela Rosa’s Senate office and residence in Davao City.
Police Captain Larry Ray said Senate staff accepted the document but declined to sign it, citing instructions from the senator’s office.
“They accepted it but they didn’t sign because that’s the instruction they were given. On our part, it’s deemed received. It’s up to them,” Ray told reporters.
Ray added that Dela Rosa could face contempt charges if he fails to appear before investigators.
At Dela Rosa’s Davao residence, CIDG Region 11 personnel carried out substituted service after the senator was not physically present. According to Tuaño, the subpoena was received by the caretaker of the property.
