DOJ starts Senate shooting probe

MANILA, Philippines —  Three months after the incident, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has started its preliminary investigation into the shooting that erupted at the Senate complex, which supposedly facilitated the escape of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on May 14. Dela Rosa is facing an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court on charges of crimes against humanity committed during the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

The police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has filed a complaint for obstruction of justice against Sen. Robinhood Padilla and others for allegedly aiding Dela Rosa’s escape.

“The complaint is now on the evaluation stage,” Justice Undersecretary Ian Norman Dato said.

“There has been an exchange back and forth between the DOJ and the law enforcement agency,” he added.

DOJ prosecutors found basis to proceed with a preliminary investigation, Dato said.

He declined to name the possible respondents, saying it was “inappropriate because no subpoenas have been issued yet.”

On May 13, personnel of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms led by Mao Aplasca fired “warning” shots at agents of the National Bureau of Investigation.

The Office of the Ombudsman has launched its own probe into the Senate shooting.

Civil society group Tindig Pilipinas filed a case of obstruction of justice against Padilla, Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano and Aplasca before the ombudsman.