Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) will issue a subpoena against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Monday, May 11. The move comes as part of an investigation into alleged **extrajudicial killings (EJKs)** during his tenure as police director of Davao City and regional director of the Davao Region.
PNP Chief Gen. Melencio Nartatez stated that the probe will be based on the Quad Committee report from the House of Representatives, along with other complaints of abuse and EJKs.
Under Republic Act 10973, signed in March 2018 by former President Rodrigo Duterte, failure to comply with a subpoena or subpoena duces tecum may result in a case of indirect contempt filed before the Regional Trial Court. The law authorizes the court to order the arrest and detention of anyone found guilty of indirect contempt.
Public attention now turns to Senator Robin Padilla, who previously vowed to personally surrender Dela Rosa if a local arrest warrant is issued. In a radio interview, Padilla declared:
“If Philippine law enforcers were the ones looking for him, I would personally surrender Bato myself. But if foreigners are involved, my heart cannot take it.”
The unfolding situation raises questions about whether Padilla will fulfill his promise should the court order Dela Rosa’s arrest.# (ZIA LUNA)
