At A Glance
- The PNP-CIDG served a subpoena to the Senate office and Davao residence of Senator Ronald dela Rosa in connection with the revived probe into alleged drug war killings.
- CIDG chief investigator P/Capt. Larry Ray said Dela Rosa's office received the subpoena but did not sign it "following instructions," though the CIDG considers it officially served.
- Dela Rosa was ordered to appear before the CIDG Major Crimes Investigation Unit at Camp Crame on May 14; failure to appear could result in indirect contempt, according to Ray.
The Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) on Monday, May 11, served the subpoena against Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa in relation to the drug war probe.
Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa (Senate PRIB photo)
According to CIDG chief investigator Police Captain Larry Ray, personnel from Dela Rosa’s office received the subpoena but did not sign the document, following instructions.
"Tinanggap nila, pero di sila nag-sign kasi yun ang instruction sa kanila (They received it, but they did not sign because that was the instruction given to them)," Ray told reporters after serving the subpoena at the senator’s office.
According to Dela Rosa's office, they didn’t officially receive it because they are not authorized, and there were no instructions from the senator. Yet the CIDG left a copy of the subpoena.
Despite this, the CIDG considers the subpoena officially served.
"Nasa kanila na 'yon kung makakarating kay Senator Bato o sa lawyer. It's up to them (It’s already with them whether it reaches Senator Bato or his lawyer. It’s up to them)," he said.
The CIDG official declined to disclose the nature of the subpoena, but confirmed that a similar copy was also served at Dela Rosa’s residence in Davao.
The PNP issued on Monday morning to dela Rosa in connection with the revived investigation into allegations of human rights abuses, including extra-judicial killings, in the conduct of the drug war, starting when he was still the chief of police of Davao City.
A copy of the subpoena signed by Police Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander AA Morico II, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), stated that Dela Rosa must appear before the Major Crimes Investigation Unit of the CIDG at Camp Crame on Thursday, May 14.
Ray added that if the senator fails to appear before investigators, he could face indirect contempt.