CIDG summons Bato dela Rosa over extrajudicial killings
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Philippine National Police has issued a subpoena to Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, ordering him to face investigators on May 14 over his alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings in the country.
Per The Philippine STAR, the CIDG instructed the senator to appear in front of PLTCOL Jerome Jay S. Ragonton, office-in-charge of the Major Crimes Investigation Unit, on May 14, Thursday at 10 a.m. Dela Rosa would be expected to "clarify matters, execute a sworn statement/affidavit, submit documents and/or relevant information in connection with the subject investigation being conducted by this Group."
The order carried three possible addresses of dela Rosa, who has not been seen in the Senate since November 2025: his office in the Senate; an address in Davao City, Davao del Sur; and another in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur.
It appears dela Rosa's subpoena is just one among several to be issued amidst the PNP's renewed focus on its fact-finding review of reported extrajudicial killings following a directive from the Department of the Interior and Local Government.
During a press conference on May 9, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla directed the PNP, under the leadership of PGen Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr., to continue of its investigation of EJK-related incidents that took place during past police operations, including dela Rosa's term as Davao City Police Director.
Responding to Remulla's order, Nartatez expressed the PNP's commitment to conduct a thorough investigation. The CIDG is to lead the fact-finding review and will be issuing subpoenas to individuals who may have connections to the EJKs. Providing investigative support are the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management and the PNP Legal Service.
"Ang mahalaga dito ay maayos at patas ang proseso. The CIDG will issue subpoenas [to] concerned individuals can formally provide information in aid of investigation. This is part of due process," Nartatez said in a statement.
If dela Rosa fails to appear at the Major Crimes Investigation Unit without a valid explanation on Thursday, a case for indirect contempt of court may be filed against him.
The senator has not been seen in public since reports of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him began circulating late last year. On Sunday, the ICC maintained it has not issued a public arrest warrant against dela Rosa.
In February, the ICC Office of the Prosecutor identified the senator, along with Sen. Bong Go, former police chief Oscar Abayalde, and other individuals, as former president Rodrigo Duterte's "co-perpetrators" in cases of murder and attempted murder involving alleged drug suspects during Duterte's so-called war on drugs.
Duterte has been detained at The Hague since March 2025 after he was arrested for alleged crimes against humanity. In April 2026, the ICC confirmed three counts of murder charges against him, paving the way to a trial.
