MANILA, Philippines – Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has been issued a subpoena by the Philippine National Police – Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) in connection with allegations involving extrajudicial killings (EJKs), authorities confirmed on Monday.
PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño verified the issuance of the subpoena, which orders the senator to appear before CIDG investigators at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Thursday at 10:00 a.m.
The document, dated May 10, directs Dela Rosa to attend the inquiry as part of an ongoing investigation into complaints linked to alleged EJK incidents.
INQUIRY LINKED TO DAVAO-ERA OPERATIONS
According to Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla, the subpoena stems from reports and complaints numbering over 100 cases of alleged extrajudicial killings during the time Dela Rosa served as Davao City Police Director and later as regional police chief.
Remulla clarified that the move is part of a domestic police investigation and not connected to any international proceedings.
“This is a purely internal matter that we are doing,” Remulla said, stressing that the CIDG inquiry is separate from reports regarding an alleged International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against the senator, which officials have denied.
He added that the probe was triggered by circulating reports and the need to continue fact-finding into past EJK complaints.
Service of subpoena in the Senate and the Davao residence
CIDG personnel also served a copy of the subpoena at Dela Rosa’s Senate office. Police Captain Larry Ray said the senator’s staff received the document but declined to sign, citing a lack of instruction from the senator.
“They accepted it, but they didn’t sign. On our part, it’s deemed received,” Ray said, adding that failure to appear may result in the senator being cited in contempt.
A copy was also served at Dela Rosa’s residence in Davao City.
Senate staff confirmed receipt of the document but clarified that they were not authorized to formally acknowledge it without instructions from the senator.
EJK ALLEGATIONS AND DUTERTE-ERA ANTI-DRUG CAMPAIGN
The investigation is tied to long-standing allegations of extrajudicial killings linked to the government’s anti-drug campaign during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte, where Dela Rosa served as Philippine National Police chief.
Human rights groups and international organizations have repeatedly raised concerns over thousands of deaths during anti-drug operations, alleging possible state accountability in the conduct of police enforcement actions.
Government officials have consistently denied systematic abuses, maintaining that operations were lawful and targeted criminal suspects.
Dela Rosa has previously defended the anti-drug campaign, insisting that police operations were carried out within legal bounds and that officers were acting in self-defense.
The CIDG inquiry marks a formal step in domestic fact-finding procedures as authorities continue to examine complaints related to past police operations.