NBI sees ‘strong indication’ Bato still in country

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) believes there is a “strong indication” that Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa is still in the country, as authorities continue to pursue leads on his whereabouts following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said yesterday investigators are tracking information indicating that Dela Rosa has not left the country.

Matibag said it would be difficult for Dela Rosa to flee abroad because ICC member-states, as well as countries cooperating through Interpol, have obligations to notify authorities, arrest him and turn him over to the international tribunal if he enters their jurisdictions.

The ICC earlier issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa for his alleged criminal responsibility as an indirect co-perpetrator in crimes against humanity in connection with the previous administration’s war on drugs.

Authorities attempted to serve the warrant on May 11 inside the Senate building, but Dela Rosa was placed under the “protective custody” of the Senate. He left the compound on May 14 after a lockdown triggered by a shooting incident. He has not been seen publicly since.

Matibag said the NBI has submitted its fact-finding report on the May 13 shooting incident at the Senate to the Department of Justice.

He said Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla has issued subpoenas to former Senate sergeant-at-arms Mao Aplasca as well as Senators Alan Peter Cayetano and Robinhood Padilla to explain the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Meanwhile, Matibag said the NBI has not received any ICC arrest warrant against Sen. Bong Go.

“None. We have not received any additional warrant. The only warrant we have is the one for Senator Bato,” he said.