PNP-CIDG to issue subpoena vs Bato dela Rosa in connection with EJKs

The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) is set to issue a subpoena against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in connection with the alleged extrajudicial killings in the Davao Region.

During a press briefing on Sunday, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla clarified that PNP-CIDG will not serve a warrant of arrest but a subpoena on Monday in connection with the House Quad Committee investigation when Dela Rosa was Davao City Police Office director and Davao Region chief.

“The CIDG will issue a subpoena tomorrow to General De La Rosa to appear personally before the CIDG office here in aid of the investigation of the previous crimes,” Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla said in a press briefing.

“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,” he added.

Remulla clarified the PNP-CIDG will not serve a warrant of arrest but a subpoena in connection with the House Quad Committee investigation when Dela Rosa was Davao City Police Office director and Davao Region chief.

“It's all related to the 100-plus complaints of EJK that occurred during his term as City Director and Regional Director of Davao,” Remulla explained. “There will be no handcuffs. It is merely a subpoena for investigation, not an arrest warrant.”

According to Remulla, Dela Rosa is currently in the Davao Region and has alerted authorities about the upcoming subpoena.

He also clarified that the PNP-CIDG’s investigation is not connected to the reported arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Dela Rosa.

“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.

Remulla earlier said he has no information on whether the ICC has issued an arrest warrant against the senator.

“None yet to my information. As far as I am concerned, until I see the official copy, it is hearsay,” Remulla said.

During the briefing, Remulla said airports, seaports, and other points of exit in the country have been placed on alert so they can be notified in case the senator passes through.

Remulla added more subpoenas will be issued in the coming days.

“We have to put a stop to all of this chatter. We have to make it clear that EJK is no longer a policy of the PNP. We have to make it clear that all officers involved must be held accountable. And just to be clear, he was the tip of the spear in the EJK drive, so we will start with him and investigate down further,” he said.

GMA News Online has reached out to Dela Rosa for his comment on the matter.

Dela Rosa’s absences in the Senate began in November after Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla alleged that the ICC had issued a warrant of arrest against the former over the bloody war on drugs during the Duterte administration. —KG/RF, GMA News