The Philippine National Police (PNP) has recalled the subpoena it issued to Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa in connection with its investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings in the Davao region during his years as a police officer.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said Wednesday the subpoena was withdrawn out of respect for the Senate’s decision to place Dela Rosa under protective custody.
Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, sought refuge at the Senate on Monday after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for his arrest. He has been named as one of the alleged co-perpetrators of former President Rodrigo Duterte in the crimes against humanity case before the ICC.
Tuaño said personnel of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) delivered the recall letter to Dela Rosa’s Senate office on Wednesday morning. The letter was received by a member of the senator’s staff as Dela Rosa was not in his office at the time.
“This stems from the discussions between the Chief PNP, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., and the director of the CIDG, Maj. Gen. Robert Morico II, intended as a show of respect to the Senate as an institution regarding the protection order issued for Sen. Dela Rosa,” Tuaño said in mixed English and Filipino.
He stressed, however, that the PNP’s investigation into the Davao region killings would continue.
“They are completing the documentation and once the issue of the Senate protection order is settled, the CIDG will again resubmit a new subpoena to Sen. Bato Dela Rosa,” Tuano said.
The CIDG earlier served the subpoena, signed by Morico, at Dela Rosa’s Senate office and Davao City residence on Monday. The order directed the senator to appear before the CIDG at Camp Crame on Thursday to clarify matters, execute a sworn statement or affidavit, and submit documents or other relevant information related to the investigation.
The subpoena also warned that failure to comply without valid justification could result in the filing of a case for indirect contempt.
With the recall of the subpoena, Tuaño said Dela Rosa or his lawyer is no longer expected to appear before the CIDG on Thursday.