Jonvic: PNP to subpoena Bato to face EJK probe
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Sunday that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police will subpoena Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Monday, requiring him to personally attend its investigation into alleged cases of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in Davao during his terms as chief of the city and regional police.
“The CIDG will issue a subpoena tomorrow to General Dela Rosa to appear personally before the CIDG office here in aid of the investigation of the previous crimes,” Remulla said, referring to the senator’s former position as PNP chief.
“It’s all related to the 100 plus EJKs that occurred during his term as city director and regional director of Davao [police],” he added.
The head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) clarified that the move is part of an investigation being conducted by the CIDG, with the help of the PNP Legal Service and other concerned units.
“The investigation is a continuing one. In light of the reports and speculation surrounding a possible [International Criminal Police Organization or Interpol] red notice, we have taken [it] upon ourselves to continue the investigation on this matter,” he said, adding that Dela Rosa “has never been personally investigated.”
“He was the tip of the spear in the EJK drive. So we will start with him and investigate down further,” Remulla said, stressing that all police officers involved must be held accountable.
‘Internal matter’
But the interior chief also stressed that the investigation has no connection to the proceedings in the International Criminal Court (ICC) where former President Rodrigo Duterte is charged with crimes against humanity for the thousands of EJK cases during his terms as Davao City mayor and as President.
“We are not a member of the ICC. We are not working with the ICC. This is a purely internal matter that we are doing,” Remulla said.
Dela Rosa was earlier tagged by the ICC as one of the former president’s “co-perpetrators” in his bloody crackdown on drugs.
While it was reported last week that the ICC had also issued a warrant on the senator’s arrest, the international tribunal’s spokesperson Oriane Maillet told reporters in a message on Saturday that no “public arrest warrants have been issued in relation to the situation in the Philippines.”
No arrest warrant yet
Remulla also reiterated during Sunday’s press briefing that they have yet to receive a copy of an Interpol red notice on Dela Rosa.
“I have not seen a copy, I have no information of a copy, but I’m here to deny all rumors that there is a red notice, and that’s clear,” he told reporters.
According to Remulla, the senator remains in the Philippines, specifically in Davao City.
Asked whether the senator might attempt to evade authorities, the DILG chief said airports, seaports and other exit points across the country have already been alerted.
“All airlines have been informed. If he is traveling or if he does pass through a checkpoint, then we should be notified right away,” Remulla said.
He added that Dela Rosa, being a senator, would be treated with due respect, stressing that the process only involves a subpoena and not an arrest or the use of handcuffs.
Senate records showed that Dela Rosa missed 31 out of 58 session days during the first regular session of the 20th Congress from July 28, 2025, to March 18 this year. He had not reported for work since Nov. 11, 2025, when rumors first spread that the ICC had also ordered his arrest.
Human rights group Karapatan, meanwhile, renewed its call for the immediate arrest of the senator, along with other police officials for their role in Duterte’s drug war despite the lack of ICC arrest warrants.
“He cannot hide forever behind his office, nor can he continue relying on his political allies and patrons to shield him from accountability. No position, privilege, or political connection should place anyone above the law,” the group said. —WITH A REPORT FROM PNA
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