The Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has recalled a subpoena it had served on Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, saying the move was made out of deference to the Senate’s standing protection order over the lawmaker.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño announced the development in a video statement on Tuesday, May 13, confirming that CIDG personnel had already delivered a recall of the subpoena duces tecum to Dela Rosa’s staff.
“Ito ay may kaugnayan sa pinag-usapan ni Chief PNP at director ng CIDG bilang respeto sa institution ng Senado, kaugnay ng Senate protection order na inissue nila para kay Sen. Bato dela Rosa,” Tuaño said.
The subpoena, originally served on May 10, was part of a CIDG probe into Dela Rosa’s alleged role in extrajudicial killings in the Davao region during his time as the city’s police chief. The agency had drawn on testimony by retired police officer Arturo Lascañas, who made statements before the House Quad Committee implicating Dela Rosa in those killings.
Despite the recall, Tuaño was explicit that the investigation itself remains open. The CIDG probe will press on, he said, even as the specific subpoena has been withdrawn.
Dela Rosa has been sheltering inside the Senate since Monday, May 11, after the chamber issued a protective custody order on his behalf following an earlier attempt by authorities to arrest him. His reappearance at the Senate ended months out of public view and coincided with his participation in a vote that seated Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano as Senate president.
The ICC had publicly confirmed the existence of an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa on charges of crimes against humanity linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign — a confirmation that came hours after the failed arrest attempt.
