Senator Robin Padilla on Monday neither confirmed nor denied reports that he assisted Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa in fleeing the Senate premises last week, stating he will defer any detailed comments until the official investigation concludes.
The development follows a chaotic incident before dawn on May 14, when Dela Rosa surreptitiously left the Senate building. The escape occurred hours after a shooting incident erupted inside the compound, triggered by a supposed attempt by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to serve an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against the former police chief.
Speaking to reporters in an ambush interview, Padilla emphasized his preference for a formal process before speaking out.
“Mas maganda magbigay ng (information) niyan kapag natapos na ang imbestigasyon kasi mas maganda yung opisyal,” Padilla said.
(“It is better to provide information regarding that once the investigation is finished because an official [statement] is better.”)
The NBI has since tagged Padilla as a person of interest in their ongoing manhunt for Dela Rosa. When questioned about the designation, the actor-turned-politician remained unfazed.
“Ganun talaga. Wala tayong magagawa kung yun ang sinabi ng mga awtoridad. OK lang yun,” he remarked.
(“That’s just how it is. We can’t do anything if that is what the authorities said. That’s fine.”)
Padilla also evaded direct questions regarding allegations that he personally drove the sports utility vehicle used as Dela Rosa’s getaway car to breach the Senate security gates.
“Antayin [na lang] investigation. Nakakahiya na sa inyo pa ako nauna mas maganda ssa imbestigasyon ako magsalita. Nakakahiya naman sa mga awtoridad,” Padilla added.
(“Let’s just wait for the investigation. It would be improper if I spoke to you first; it’s better for me to speak during the investigation. It would be disrespectful to the authorities.”)
The high-stakes standoff stems from the ICC’s decision to unseal an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa on May 11. The warrant cites allegations of crimes against humanity connected to his prominent role as the chief enforcer of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial war on drugs.
Following his evasion of law enforcement and the subsequent shootout inside the government facility, authorities have officially declared Dela Rosa a fugitive from justice.