CIDG, NBI visit Bato dela Rosa's alleged hideout in Angeles City

Authorities on Wednesday morning searched a house inside a subdivision in Angeles City, Pampanga where Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was allegedly hiding.

According to a report of Super Radyo dzBB’s Mark Makalalad, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) led the operation.

Barangay Balibago chairman Joseph Ponce told Super Radyo that the operation was conducted around 6 a.m.

Ponce said the property that was searched is reportedly owned by an uncle of Senator Robin Padilla.

GMA News Online has asked Padilla about the matter but he has yet to respond as of posting time.

According to the barangay official, the CIDG coordinated with local authorities regarding the operation in connection with Dela Rosa’s exit from the Senate and the search for vehicles linked to his escape.

However, authorities did not find Dela Rosa in the area. The vehicles allegedly linked to him were also not located during the operation.

The Super Radyo dzBB report said it sought additional details from the CIDG regarding the operation, but the agency had yet to respond as of posting time.

Meanwhile, CIDG public information office said the agency is scheduled to hold a press briefing on Thursday regarding its recommendation to file obstruction of justice complaints against Padilla, as well as details of Wednesday’s operation.

Interviewed on Super Radyo dzBB, NBI director Melvin Matibag confirmed that authorities conducted visits to several areas identified as possible locations of the senator.

“Meron po talagang mga identified areas na according to mga reports sa amin nawa nandodoon si Senator Bato. So amin po itong binisita upang po malaman at kung mava-validate po namin yung mga ulat sa amin kung nandodoon po si Senator Bato,” Matibag said.

(There are indeed identified areas that according to our reports, Senator Bato is there. So we visited them to find out if we can validate our reports if Senator Bato is really there.)

However, he said none of the operations yielded a positive result.

According to Matibag, the search was based on leads involving individuals who were previously in contact or had connections with the senator, prompting validation efforts on the ground.

Matibag said the NBI and PNP continue to deploy dedicated tracking teams and utilize available technology in the ongoing search.

He noted that Dela Rosa’s background in law enforcement may be a factor in evasion tactics.

Meanwhile, Matibag said authorities are preparing subpoenas for individuals who may have had contact with Dela Rosa.

Negative effect

In an interview on GMA News’ Unang Balita, ICC Assistant to Counsel Atty. Kristina Conti said Dela Rosa's hiding amid the arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) could negatively affect him in case he later seeks interim release.

She said that avoiding authorities may create doubts about Dela Rosa’s willingness to cooperate with ICC proceedings.

“Parang mahihirapan ang korte na tingnan siya with favor in the sense na itong taong ito ay hindi magpapakita at hindi pahuhuli, hindi basta-basta magko-cooperate sa court,” she said.

(It seems like the court will have a hard time looking at him with favor in the sense that this person will not show up, will not be arrested, and will not cooperate with the court.)

Such circumstances could affect a future request for interim release or temporary liberty, according to Conti.

She compared the situation to former president Rodrigo Duterte’s case, saying both scenarios could lead to denial of interim release.

“Kay Duterte dahil siya mismo ayaw kilalanin ang jurisdiction ng court. Ito namang isa dahil hindi nagko-cooperate sa korte,” Conti said.

(Duterte does not want to recognize the jurisdiction of the court. Meanwhile, Dela Rosa is not cooperating with the court.)

Asked whether Dela Rosa’s alleged hiding could be considered an aggravating circumstance in determining possible penalties against him, Conti said it may not carry significant weight but voluntary surrender and cooperation with the court could help his case.

Earlier, the ICC confirmed that the tribunal has issued an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa in connection with the killings under the war on drugs.

While the Senate building was on lockdown and Dela Rosa was under the protective custody of the upper chamber on May 13, gunshots were heard inside the building of the legislative body.

Hours later, Dela Rosa left the Senate. — Joviland Rita/RSJ/AOL, GMA News