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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'May security escort pa?': Bato escape 'highly coordinated, pre-planned', says CIDG

'May security escort pa?': Bato escape 'highly coordinated, pre-planned', says CIDG

Obstruction of Justice case vs Robin to be referred to DOJ

Published May 27, 2026 08:13 am
Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa ( Facebook)
Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa ( Facebook)
Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Robin Padilla had a security escort and back-up car when they left the Senate a few hours after the gunfire, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) disclosed on Wednesday, May 27.
And for that, CIDG director Maj. Gen. Robert AA Morico II said they will refer a case for violation of Presidential Decree No. 1829 (Obstruction of Justice) against Padilla and other persons who facilitated escape to the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Dela Rosa was under the Senate protective custody that was given after he participated in the successful move for a change of leadership on May 11.
He was later seen leaving the Senate between 2:30 a.m. and 3 a.m. on May 14, with Padilla already admitting that Dela Rosa rode his car and that he left the fugitive senator in Makati.
But for the CIDG, it was not a mere hitch ride.
“Following a thorough investigation, the CIDG has officially concluded that the transport of Senator Dela Rosa was not a mere hitch ride on Senator Padilla’s car, but a highly coordinated, pre-planned logistical maneuver specifically executed to avoid detection while escaping the Senate premises in the dawn of May 14, 2026,” the CIDG statement read.
“Furthermore, the investigation revealed that there was another vehicle tailing the car of Senator Padilla, which served as a security escort and backup car during the maneuver,” it added.
Morico said their legal action is part of the CIDG mandate to conduct investigation and enforce the law equitably and without exception.
Dela Rosa is a subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity after he was named as among the co-perpetrators of the bloody drug war that left 6,000 people dead in police operations.
The DOJ earlier said that the ICC warrant is valid and enforceable, which means that any action that prevents its enforcement would put a person in legal trouble
“When individuals actively interfere in the arrest or assist in the evasion of criminal offenders to avoid prosecution, it undermines the justice system and compromises public order,” said Morico.
“The PNP-CIDG emphasizes that any act of obstruction of justice will be met with criminal prosecution,” he added.
The same strong stand was earlier emphasized by DOJ acting Secretary Fredderick A. Vida who said that the DOJ is now conducting its own probe in the interest of truth and accountability.
And when the violators involve a government employee or a public official, Vida said there is another serious penalty.
“Let me remind also that if you are a public official or an employee found guilty of committing these acts, the accessory penalty is perpetual disqualification from holding office,” said Vida.

Related Tags

CIDG Bato dela Rosa Obstruction of justice Robin Padilla
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