National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag asserted on Tuesday that Senator Robin Padilla should be the primary individual questioned regarding the current whereabouts of his close friend and political ally, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
During a press conference, Matibag emphasized that Padilla’s close proximity to Dela Rosa prior to his disappearance makes him a critical source of information for investigators.
“If there’s somebody who is a person that should be asked, ang una-unang dapat tanungin (ay) si Senator Robin Padilla dahil siya ‘yung huling kasama,” Matibag said.
(“If there’s somebody who is a person that should be asked, the very first one who should be questioned is Senator Robin Padilla because he was the last one accompanied.”)
The NBI chief added that while the bureau possesses intelligence regarding the former top cop’s location, law enforcement agencies are temporarily withholding the specific details to prevent any public interference in their ongoing operations.
Dela Rosa quietly slipped out of the Senate premises in the early hours of May 14, following an unprecedented gunfire incident inside the legislative building just a day prior.
Political observers have raised suspicions over the timing of the shooting, with some suggesting the incident may have been “staged” to facilitate the embattled senator’s escape and evade the enforcement of an impending arrest order from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Subsequent reports indicated that Padilla allegedly drove the sports utility vehicle (SUV) used by Dela Rosa to leave the legislative complex unnoticed in the wake of the chaos.
When confronted by reporters on Monday, Padilla notably did not deny the allegations, choosing instead to defer his statements to the formal inquiry.
“Mas maganda magbigay ng (information) niyan kapag natapos na ang imbestigasyon kasi mas maganda ‘yung opisyal,” Padilla stated in a separate interview.
(“It is better to give information on that once the investigation is finished because an official statement is better.”)
“Antayin (na lang ang) investigation. Nakakahiya na sa inyo pa ako nauna, mas maganda sa imbestigasyon ako magsalita. Nakakahiya naman sa mga awtoridad,” he added.
(“Let’s just wait for the investigation. It would be embarrassing if I spoke to you [the media] first; it is better for me to speak during the investigation. It would be embarrassing to the authorities.”)