The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) described the Senate shooting incident and the alleged escape of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa from Senate protective custody as “related” but clarified that it is still being treated as separate cases under investigation.

CIDG Director PMGen. Robert Alexander A. Morico II said investigators are carefully examining both incidents but have not yet reached a conclusion on their connection.

“We treat different cases based on facts. We investigated the Senate shooting, then separate po yung alleged escape. To make conclusions is ano… we already turned over the case to the Department of Justice,” Morico said.

Morico also confirmed that the CIDG has submitted its findings to the Department of Justice (DOJ) for legal evaluation while continuing its manhunt operations related to the senator’s alleged departure from Senate custody on May 14, hours after the reported shooting incident.

Authorities earlier noted claims that the senator’s exit may have been pre-planned, but CIDG clarified that such assertions remain under validation.

In a separate disclosure, Morico confirmed that a bulletproof vest was found in the possession of a security aide of Senator Robin Padilla during the incident. However, he stressed that investigators are not yet concluding any direct involvement.

When asked about allegations linking Padilla as a possible mastermind, Morico said there was “indispensable cooperation” in the alleged escape of Dela Rosa, while stopping short of making definitive accusations.

CIDG said Senator Padilla and his uncle are among those recommended for possible prosecution for obstruction of justice, pending evaluation by the DOJ.