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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider NBI eyes Padilla, Aplasca as 'persons of interest' in Bato Dela Rosa's alleged Senate exit

NBI eyes Padilla, Aplasca as 'persons of interest' in Bato Dela Rosa's alleged Senate exit

Published May 15, 2026 12:59 pm  |  Updated May 15, 2026 02:13 pm

At A Glance

  • NBI investigators are trying to establish Dela Rosa's movements after he allegedly left the Senate early Thursday, May 14, following a tense incident the night before involving NBI agents.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is considering Sen. Robin Padilla and Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca as “persons of interest” as it probes the reported departure of Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa from the Senate amid an attempt to serve him an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.
NBI Director Melvin A. Matibag said in an interview on DZBB that investigators are trying to establish Dela Rosa’s movements after he allegedly left the Senate early Thursday, May 14, following a tense incident the night before involving NBI agents.
Matibag said Padilla is among the first individuals authorities want to clarify details from, noting that he may have been with Dela Rosa when the senator left the premises.
“Parang lumalabas naman is si Sen. Robin Padilla ang kasamang lumabas (It appears Sen. Robin Padilla was the one who accompanied him when he left),” Matibag said.
Padilla has not yet publicly responded to the NBI statement as of writing.
The NBI chief also pointed to the Senate security head as another key figure in the inquiry.
“Ang susunod po si Gen. Mao Aplasca kasi siya po ang security head d’yan po sa Senate (Next is Gen. Mao Aplasca because he is the security head there in the Senate),” Matibag said.
Aplasca, a retired police officer, is also being examined in connection with reports that he was involved in an altercation during the incident at the bridge linking the Senate and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) complex.
Matibag said based on accounts from NBI personnel, Aplasca allegedly fired a shot during the confrontation when Senate security personnel confronted NBI agents attempting to serve the warrant.
He added that investigators are also considering statements from Dela Rosa’s wife, Nancy, who reportedly said the incident was used as an opportunity for the senator to leave the Senate premises.
Authorities said they have yet to determine where Dela Rosa went after leaving the building.
Dela Rosa has been named by the ICC as a co-perpetrator of former President Rodrigo Duterte in a crimes against humanity case linked to the drug war during his administration.
ICC has issued an arrest warrant in connection with the case.
Duterte is currently detained in The Hague and is facing trial before the court.

Related Tags

NBI BATO DELA ROSA ROBIN PADILLA MAO APLASCA SENATE ICC
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