The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has summoned four individuals to assist in its ongoing probe into Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa’s departure from the Senate premises following a shooting incident inside the building on May 13.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag announced that subpoenas were served to suspended acting Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca, Pasay City Police Chief Joselito De Sesto, Senator Robin Padilla’s deputy chief of staff Jean Robles, and Virgilio Cariño, the senator’s uncle. The four are expected to report to the NBI’s Pasay City office this week to provide statements for the fact-finding investigation.
The investigation focuses on how Dela Rosa managed to exit the Senate grounds on May 14, hours after the gunfire occurred. Matibag added that the NBI is currently coordinating with the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding a potential subpoena for the senator’s wife, Nancy dela Rosa.
He emphasized that she is not a suspect and the move is strictly to gather information.
”We are not considering the wife of Senator Bato as suspect or anything, but to shed light. Alam nyo, the people should understand, as subpoena, hindi kasi ni subpoena dahil automatic akusado ka, kaya kasi ni subpoena, you can give the reason to shed light on a matter,” Matibag explained.
”‘Pag nakareceive tayo ng subpoena sa NBI, ‘wag mo kayo matakot, naisipin nyo kagad, akusado kayo, you’re being subpoena probably as a witness or who can give something to shed light on the matter that the NBI could ask,” he added.
The NBI chief also responded to criticism from Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, who labeled the potential questioning of the senator’s wife as “lazy work” if it was merely to track Dela Rosa’s location. Matibag clarified that investigators do not intend to ask her where her husband is.
Instead, the inquiry stems from remarks reportedly shared by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, suggesting she allegedly mentioned that Dela Rosa used the chaos of the shooting to leave the complex.