The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is prepared to summon Senator Robin Padilla if ordered by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assist in the investigation regarding the reported disappearance of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag stated in a radio interview that the bureau will coordinate with the DOJ—which he identified as the primary agency handling the case—before serving any subpoenas or invitations to individuals involved.
“Kapag may malinaw na instructions sa atin, ipapatawag kung sino yung mga dapat ipatawag. Hindi lamang po si Sen. Robin Padilla kundi yung mga taong maaaring magbigay linaw sa pagkawala ni Sen. Bato Dela Rosa,” (Once we receive clear instructions, we will summon whoever needs to be summoned. Not just Sen. Robin Padilla, but anyone who can shed light on the disappearance of Sen. Bato Dela Rosa,) Matibag said in the interview.
Matibag pointed out that Padilla should be the primary individual questioned by investigators, noting that he was the last person seen with dela Rosa before his disappearance.
Padilla previously disclosed that dela Rosa had accompanied him out of the Senate premises and that he dropped the former police chief off in Makati City.
The NBI chief emphasized that Padilla should not wait for a formal legal order, urging him to voluntarily cooperate with law enforcement and share any relevant information.
Meanwhile, Padilla has maintained that he has no knowledge of dela Rosa’s current location. He also denied actively helping his colleague evade law enforcement, arguing that no arrest warrant had been issued against dela Rosa at the time.
Matibag clarified that, based on official records available to him, there are no other active warrants of arrest apart from the one issued against dela Rosa.
“Wala pang impormasyon na ganoon. Ang malinaw po ay yung warrant na in-issue kay Sen. Bato Dela Rosa,” (There is no such information yet. What is clear is the warrant issued against Sen. Bato Dela Rosa,) the NBI chief explained.
However, the director acknowledged ongoing reports that additional warrants from the International Criminal Court (ICC) could be underway, given the co-conspirators named in existing complaints.
“Ang pagbabasehan ay yung reklamo mismo. Nakikita naman natin may mga pinangalanan ng co-conspirators doon at may mga balita nga na meron pa mga parating na warrant galing po sa ICC,” (The basis will be the complaint itself. We can see that there are named co-conspirators there, and there are reports that more warrants from the ICC are coming,) he noted.
Matibag concluded that the NBI has yet to receive any official communication confirming the issuance of new warrants.