The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered an internal investigation into allegations that police personnel may have escorted Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa out of the Senate compound on May 14.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the probe will examine official records, including CCTV footage, duty logbooks, and radio dispatch reports from the morning of the incident.
In a statement on Sunday, Nartatez said the review will be conducted independently to establish what transpired and whether protocols were violated.
“Let me be absolutely clear: the Philippine National Police does not operate on blind because the integrity of our institution is at stake. While we have received the initial clarification from the Pasay City Police Chief, I have already directed concerned investigative units to conduct an independent review of the logbooks, CCTV (closed-circuit television) feeds, and radio dispatches from that morning,” Nartatez said.
Pasay City Police chief Col. Joselito de Sesto earlier confirmed that he was inside a white police vehicle seen in a video leaving the Senate compound around 3 a.m. on May 14, alongside a black van believed to have carried Dela Rosa, but he denied providing an escort.
Nartatez warned that accountability will be enforced if violations are found.
“If the investigation reveals that there was any unauthorized coordination, false reporting, or logistical support given to evade legal processes, those involved will face the full brunt of administrative and criminal sanctions,” he said.
Dela Rosa appeared at the Senate on May 11 after being out of public view for about six months amid reports of a possible arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He was later placed under Senate custody but left the premises days later, hours after a reported gunfire incident nearby.
The PNP chief also denied claims that the national leadership had prior knowledge of or authorized any assistance related to the senator’s departure.
“As the Chief of the PNP, I categorically state that the national leadership had no prior knowledge of, nor did it authorize any logistical assistance for, the departure of Senator Dela Rosa from the Senate premises. Our deployment in the area was strictly confined to public safety, crowd control, and managing the perimeter following the highly volatile shooting incident that occurred hours prior,” Nartatez said.
Photo courtesy of Lifestyle.INQ
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