The Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has recommended the filing of obstruction of justice charges against Senator Robin Padilla and five other individuals over their alleged involvement in assisting Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa in leaving the Senate premises.
In a state press briefing at Camp Crame, the CIDG confirmed that an obstruction of justice complaint was filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ), naming six individuals who were allegedly involved in the escape of Dela Rosa on May 14, following a gunfire incident at the Senate a day earlier.
In a report by RH Edniel Parrosa on "MBC TV Network News," included in the complaint are a female assistant and a security aide of the senator, who was previously linked to military service. CCTV footage from the Senate reportedly showed one of the aides carrying a bulletproof vest during the incident, according to investigators.
According to CIDG chief Police Major General Robert Alexander Morico II, investigators identified a pickup truck allegedly used as a backup vehicle, which was stationed outside the Senate premises.
Morico said they have already identified the vehicle’s owner and driver.
“A backup vehicle was waiting outside of [the] Senate premises. It is a pickup, we have identified ‘yung owner and the driver of the supposed vehicle,“ he said.
The CIDG said its investigation indicated that Dela Rosa was not simply given a ride in Padilla’s vehicle, but that the incident was a “highly coordinated” and pre-planned maneuver rather than an informal transfer.
Authorities said the operation included at least four locations searched by the CIDG and the National Bureau of Investigation in relation to efforts to locate and enforce an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against Dela Rosa.
Investigators added that search operations were conducted in Parañaque, Bulacan, and Pampanga, including a residence believed to be connected to a relative of Padilla and the registered owner of the alleged backup vehicle.
Authorities maintain that the ongoing investigation is focused on determining the extent of each individual’s involvement in the alleged escape, while the complaint remains under evaluation by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
