National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag said Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa sustained injuries after falling while running, disputing claims that agents wrestled with him during an attempted service of a warrant.

In an interview on DZRH’s “Dos Por Dos,” Matibag said the video footage during a Senate session on Monday showed no physical struggle that was allegedly initiated by agents.

“Wala naman nangyaring pag-wrestling. Nangyari po sa kanya sa pagtakbo nya ay nadapa po.”

“Nadapa sa hagdanan, natukod yung kanyang daliri kaya nasugatan, kita naman po. Kasi nilabas naman po nila ang video. Wala naman ako nakita doon sa video na nagkaroon ng wrestling.”

Matibag added that during the incident, dela Rosa allegedly pushed and tackled female NBI agents who were attempting to catch up with him.

“Katunayan nga po siya tumatakbo nung isa-serve sa kanya ang warrant, nung isang ahente namin babae, tinackle po niya, tinulak po niya,” he said, adding that another agent followed shortly after.

The NBI chief said the bureau had initially deployed female agents in the expectation that dela Rosa, a former law enforcement official, would respond calmly to the service of a warrant.

“Ang assumption namin dahil law enforcement naman galing si Sen. Bato at isang senador, pag sinerve ang warrant, baka pag may presence ng babae, medyo mas kalmado ang usapan,” Matibag said.

“Nagkamali pala kami ng assessment na dapat nilagyan namin ang malalaking mga agent na kasinlaki po niya.”

He maintained that no agent forcibly restrained dela Rosa in a manner that could be described as wrestling, challenging claims to the contrary.

“Kung mayroon baka ipalabas naman nila ang mga video. Ang nakita naman natin doon eh hindi wrestling kundi track and field,” he said.

Matibag also disclosed that the NBI coordinated with Senate security in anticipation of dela Rosa’s possible arrival at the Senate on the day the warrant was to be served, following reports of a session and developments related to impeachment proceedings.

He said the bureau had received the warrant on the same day but declined to provide further details on its origin, citing operational considerations and advice not to disclose information publicly as additional warrants may be forthcoming.

Matibag further said former senator Antonio Trillanes IV was not part of the NBI operation, noting that agents had already been deployed before Trillanes arrived at the Senate.

“Hindi namin siya kasama, in fact yung sinasabi niya na may kopya din siya ng warrant hindi namin siya kailangan busisiin doon…”

The NBI chief also claimed that dela Rosa may have evaded immediate detection by riding in another senator’s vehicle upon entering the Senate complex.

“May information kami na nakisakay siya sa isang senador at kaya siya hindi nakita. Parang nangyari at nagtago siya o dumapa sa sasakyan nitong senador na to,” Matibag said, adding that authorities are still determining the identity of the senator involved.

He said the bureau had no prior intelligence confirming that dela Rosa would arrive in such a manner but acknowledged it as a possibility given the use of alternative vehicles.

Matibag added that the NBI is verifying dela Rosa’s claim that he had remained in Metro Manila during a period when authorities were trying to locate him.

“‘Yon yung kineclaim niya na nandito lang siya sa Metro Manila. Siguro tingnan natin yung statement na yan kung nasaan talaga siya. We need to validate it also,” he said.