PNP-CIDG recalls subpoena for Dela Rosa over EJK probe
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police recalled on Wednesday its subpoena for Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa that required him to attend its investigation into the more than 100 alleged cases of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in Davao while he was chief of the city and regional police.
“This is related to the instruction of the PNP chief and the CIDG director as a show of respect for the Senate as an institution in connection with the protection order they issued for Senator Bato dela Rosa,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño told reporters at Camp Crame.
But he said that the PNP’s investigation into the EJK cases in Davao under the police official turned-senator will continue.
New summons possible
“They’re completing their documentation and once the issue of the Senate protection order is settled, the CIDG will again submit a new subpoena for Sen. Bato dela Rosa,” Tuaño added.
He shared that when CIDG personnel had given the letter of recall for the subpoena to Dela Rosa’s staff, the senator was not physically present.
The subpoena duces tecum for the senator, which was announced by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Sunday, was served on Dela Rosa’s staff at the Senate the following day. It required him to go to the CIDG office in Camp Crame on Thursday morning.
“The subpoena was recalled in deference to the order of the Senate for the protective custody of Hon. Sen. Ronald [dela] Rosa and since obviously the latter cannot appear in Camp Crame personally as of this time,” CIDG Director Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II said in a text message to the Inquirer.
“However, the investigation concerning him and others is continuing and should there be any opportunity for him in the future to personally appear, we shall be issuing the appropriate summons,” he added.
The Senate placed Dela Rosa, who served as former President Rodrigo Duterte’s first PNP chief, under its protective custody on Monday after National Bureau of Investigation agents tried to serve an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court.
