National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Melvin Matibag on Friday said Senator Robin Padilla is considered a “person of interest” in the whereabouts of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.
Early Thursday morning, Dela Rosa left the Senate building amid his possible arrest after the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant in connection with the Duterte administration’s drug war.
“It is automatic, but I said, if there is anyone who needs to be questioned first, Senator Robin Padilla has already been identified as the last person with Dela Rosa,” Matibag said when asked if the NBI is already tracking Dela Rosa during an interview.
“He is the person of interest to shed light on Senator Bato’s whereabouts,” he added.
Matibag noted that the NBI is following instructions from the Department of Justice (DOJ) about the matter.
“We will do that at the proper time. It is clear that we always say that we are following instructions from the higher-ups, the DOJ is the main coordination here,” he said.
Asked about Dela Rosa’s whereabouts, Matibag said the question should be directed to Padilla, Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, as well as Senate Sergeant-at-Arms and retired Police Major General Mao Aplasca.
“After the commotion in the Senate, the gunshots, he was gone. If you remember, that’s what I was talking about, the sentiment of our agents that the reason for that gunshot was a diversion and to get Senator Bato out,” Matibag said.
“And that was confirmed by his spouse who said Senator Bato took advantage of the situation when the gunshots happened to get him out of the Senate,” he added.
Gunshots rang out at the Senate Wednesday evening amid a lockdown at the upper chamber, where Dela Rosa was under protective custody. Hours later, the senator left the Senate compound.
National Bureau of Investigation
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is a premier law enforcement agency in the Philippines, established in 1936 to investigate major crimes and provide technical support to other law enforcement bodies. It originated as the Division of Investigation under the Department of Justice, modeled after the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Over the decades, the NBI has expanded its role to include forensic analysis, anti-cybercrime efforts, and other specialized investigative services.
International Criminal Court
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is a permanent international tribunal established in 2002 by the Rome Statute to prosecute individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression. Located in The Hague, Netherlands, it was created as a successor to ad hoc tribunals like those for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, aiming to ensure accountability for the most serious international crimes. The ICC represents a landmark in global justice, though it operates on a complementary basis to national courts and has faced challenges in enforcement and political cooperation.
Senate building
The Senate building typically refers to the legislative chamber where the upper house of a bicameral parliament convenes, often housed in historic or architecturally significant structures. For example, the United States Senate meets in the north wing of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., a building whose construction began in 1793 and has been the site of key debates and decisions since the Senate’s first session in 1800. These buildings serve as enduring symbols of democratic governance and national history.
Department of Justice
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is a federal executive department of the U.S. government responsible for enforcing the law and administering justice. Established in 1870, it was created to handle the growing legal workload of the federal government and is headed by the Attorney General. The DOJ oversees key agencies like the FBI and the federal prison system, playing a central role in upholding civil rights and prosecuting federal crimes.
