MANILA — The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) is preparing to file obstruction of justice complaints against Sen. Robin Padilla and several others for allegedly orchestrating the escape of Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The CIDG on Wednesday said the complaints would be lodged before the Department of Justice’s National Prosecution Service for alleged violation of Presidential Decree No. 1829, or the obstruction of justice law, after investigators concluded that Dela Rosa’s exit from the Senate compound before dawn on May 14 was “highly coordinated” and deliberately planned to evade arrest.
“The transport of Senator Dela Rosa was not a mere hitch ride on Senator Padilla’s car, but a highly coordinated, pre-planned logistical maneuver specifically executed to avoid detection while escaping the Senate premises in the dawn of May 14, 2026,” the CIDG said in a statement.
“Furthermore, the investigation revealed that there was another vehicle tailing the car of Senator Padilla, which served as a security escort and backup car during the maneuver,” it added.
The CIDG stressed that those who interfere with law enforcement operations or assist fugitives in avoiding prosecution would face criminal liability.
“When individuals actively interfere in the arrest or assist in the evasion of criminal offenders to avoid prosecution, it undermines the justice system and compromises public order,” the CIDG said.
“The PNP-CIDG emphasizes that any act of obstruction of justice will be met with criminal prosecution,” it added.
Padilla earlier denied helping Dela Rosa evade authorities, insisting that the former police chief merely asked for a ride out of the Senate compound following the reported shooting incident inside the Senate premises.
In a related development, CIDG and National Bureau of Investigation operatives on Wednesday searched a house inside a subdivision in Angeles City, Pampanga, where Dela Rosa was reportedly hiding.
Barangay Balibago chairman Joseph Ponce said the operation was conducted around 6 a.m. at a property allegedly owned by an uncle of Padilla. Authorities, however, failed to locate Dela Rosa or any vehicles supposedly linked to him.
Earlier, the ICC confirmed it had issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa in connection with alleged killings tied to the Duterte administration’s controversial anti-illegal drug campaign.
Dela Rosa had earlier been placed under Senate protective custody during a lockdown at the Senate building on May 13 after gunshots were reportedly heard inside the complex. Hours later, before dawn on May 14, he left the Senate premises./PN
