National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag stressed that an arrest warrant cannot be served to a suspect’s lawyer, saying it must be personally received by the individual subject of the order.
“Because the warrant should be served personally. That is under the Rules of Court. Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggaling ‘yung idea na ibigay mo sa abugado, siya mag se-serve. Baka nagkaroon lang ng mix up na ‘yung subpoena, ‘yung summons sa warrant,” Matibag said in a press briefing.
“Iba po ‘yung warrant. The warrant of arrest under the Rules of Court should be received personally by the one being arrested,” he said.
The clarification comes after a viral video showed lawyer Jimmy Bondoc, legal counsel of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, saying the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant could be served through the senator’s lawyers.
Bondoc cited a previous incident involving former Senator Antonio Trillanes, who had attempted to serve the warrant on May 11, and argued that rules on service should be applied equally.
Meanwhile, NBI agents earlier attempted to serve the warrant on Dela Rosa, with Matibag claiming the senator allegedly pushed two female agents during the attempt, prompting a brief chase inside the Senate premises.
Following the incident, Trillanes later presented a copy of the warrant to the media, saying he acted in coordination with the NBI upon Dela Rosa’s request.
Bondoc, however, maintained that the ICC warrant is not enforceable unless the Supreme Court rules on its validity in the Philippines.
Dela Rosa is facing an arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity in connection with killings linked to the Duterte administration’s drug war from July 2016 to April 2018.
Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida earlier directed the NBI and Philippine National Police (PNP) to arrest the senator, describing him as a “fugitive from justice.”
The PNP has also deployed tracker teams, while the NBI said it has formed a dedicated unit to locate and monitor Dela Rosa’s whereabouts.
