By Wilnard Bacelonia
MANILA – The office of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa confirmed Monday that personnel from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) delivered a subpoena linked to an investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings, but did not sign the document.
In a message shared with reporters, Dela Rosa’s office said CIDG personnel visited earlier in the day and left a copy of the subpoena.
“Hi, galing na po ang CIDG dito earlier sa office namin (Hi, the CIDG came to our office earlier) and they did leave a copy of the subpoena. We didn’t officially receive it because we are not authorized and there were no instructions from Sen. Bato,” a staff of Dela Rosa said.
Police Capt. Larry Ray, who delivered the subpoena, said the PNP-CIDG still considers the document served after office personnel accepted the copy.
“Bale, ni-receive lang nila ang copy pero hindi sila nag-sign kasi ‘yun daw ang instruction sa kanila (They received the copy but did not sign because they said that was their instruction),” Ray said in a chance interview.
“Sa part namin, it is deemed received kasi tinanggap nila eh. Nasa kanila na yun kung makakarating kay Senator Bato or sa lawyer nila (On our part, it is deemed received because they accepted it. It is now up to them whether it reaches Sen. Bato or their lawyer),” he added.
Ray also warned of possible legal consequences should Dela Rosa fail to comply with the subpoena.
“Tingnan natin kung anong mangyari. Mostly, alam naman natin na kapag ‘di ka nag-comply sa subpoena, ma-indirect contempt ka (We’ll see what happens. Mostly, we know that if you do not comply with a subpoena, you may be cited for indirect contempt),” he said.
The subpoena directed Dela Rosa to appear before investigators at Camp Crame in Quezon City on May 14 to execute a sworn statement or affidavit and submit documents related to the investigation.
The CIDG said the probe covers the “facts and circumstances surrounding the alleged extra-judicial killings in the Davao Region based on the House of Representatives Quad Committee hearings, and the revelations made in public interviews by SPO3 Arturo Lascañas (Ret.).”
Dela Rosa has not been reporting to the Senate since November 2025 after reports surfaced about an alleged arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court in connection with the Duterte administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign. (PNA)
