The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) may summon Sen. Robin Padilla if directed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of an inquiry into the reported disappearance of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
In an interview with DZRH’s Dos Por Dos, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the agency will first coordinate with the DOJ, which he described as the primary body handling the matter, before issuing any subpoenas or invitations.
“Kapag may malinaw na instructions sa atin, ipapatawag kung sino yung mga dapat ipatawag. Hindi lamang po si Sen. Robin Padilla kundi yung mga taong maaaring magbigay linaw sa pagkawala ni Sen. Bato Dela Rosa,” Matibag said in the interview.
Matibag said Padilla would be the first person investigators should question, noting that the senator was the last known individual seen with dela Rosa.
Padilla earlier admitted that dela Rosa accompanied him when leaving the Senate and that he dropped him off in Makati City.
The NBI chief also stressed that Padilla need not wait for a formal summons and should voluntarily cooperate with authorities by providing any information he may have.
Padilla has maintained that he does not know dela Rosa’s whereabouts and denied helping him evade authorities, saying there was no arrest warrant against the senator at the time.
Matibag also clarified that, as far as he is aware, there is currently no information about other standing arrest warrants aside from the one issued against dela Rosa.
“Wala pang impormasyon na ganoon. Ang malinaw po ay yung warrant na in-issue kay Sen. Bato Dela Rosa,” the NBI chief said.
However, he acknowledged reports that additional warrants from the International Criminal Court (ICC) could be issued, based on named co-conspirators in existing complaints.
“Ang pagbabasehan ay yung reklamo mismo. Nakikita naman natin may mga pinangalanan ng co-conspirators doon at may mga balita nga na meron pa mga parating na warrant galing po sa ICC.”
He added that he has not received any official communication regarding new warrants as of now.
