Police escort in Bato ‘escape’ probed

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police is conducting an independent investigation into allegations that PNP officers escorted a black van said to be carrying Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa out of the Senate compound in the early hours of May 14.

PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said separate verification measures are now underway to determine whether unauthorized police assistance was extended during the incident.

“Let me be absolutely clear: the Philippine National Police does not operate on blind because the integrity of our institution is at stake,” Nartatez said yesterday.

Pasay police chief Joselito de Sesto earlier confirmed that he was inside a white police vehicle seen in a video leaving the Senate compound at around 3 a.m. alongside a black van.

De Sesto, however, denied providing escort or logistical support to the van, which was suspected of carrying Dela Rosa before his departure from the Senate premises in Pasay City.

Nartatez said he has directed concerned investigative units to independently review logbooks, CCTV footage and radio dispatch records related to the incident.

Investigators were also ordered to secure deployment logs, mobility records, duty rosters and available body camera footage from police units assigned around the Senate complex and nearby areas on May 14.

“If the investigation reveals that there was any unauthorized coordination, false reporting or logistical support given to evade legal processes, those involved will face the full brunt of administrative and criminal sanctions,” the PNP chief said.

Nartatez also denied allegations that the national police leadership authorized any covert assistance or special movement operation involving Dela Rosa.

“As the chief of the PNP, I categorically state that the national leadership had no prior knowledge of, nor did it authorize any logistical assistance for, the departure of Senator Dela Rosa from the Senate premises,” he said.

According to Nartatez, police deployment around the Senate complex was limited to maintaining public safety, crowd control and perimeter security following a volatile shooting incident reported hours earlier.

The Senate complex remained under heightened security at the time, with personnel from the Pasay City Police and the National Capital Region Police Office deployed in the area.

“The PNP remains a highly professional, apolitical organization loyal to the Constitution and the rule of law. We do not participate in clandestine escorts or partisan maneuvers,” Nartatez said.

Likewise, Nartatez urged the public to avoid spreading speculation and allow authorities to complete their investigation into the gunfire incident at the Senate.

“Like everyone else, we in the PNP are also interested in knowing everything about this incident,” he said.

“We are looking into all angles based on facts and evidence to come up with a clear picture of what really happened in the interest of truth, accountability and justice,” the PNP chief added.

Obstruction of justice?

According to a legal expert, the Office of the Ombudsman may look into the criminal liability of personalities, including senators, who might have been instrumental in Dela Rosa’s escape from Senate premises last week.

Citing news reports and public statements made last week, Sen. Robin Padilla and even Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano could be held liable for violating Presidential Decree No. 1829 that punishes obstruction of justice, Free Legal Assistance Group and Movement of Attorneys for Brotherhood, Integrity and Nationalism member Antonio Bucoy said.

“We cannot deny that Bato dela Rosa escaped with the help of Senator Padilla because Senate President Cayetano himself said that (Dela Rosa) left the Senate with Senator Padilla. Now, is there a liability? Yes, there is, and it is a criminal liability under PD 1829,” Bucoy told radio dzBB yesterday. — Mark Ernest Villeza, Ghio Ong