Senator Robin Padilla summoned by DOJ over alleged aid to Bato Dela Rosa's escape

The Philippine Department of Justice has served Senator Robin Padilla with a subpoena to address a police complaint that he helped former police chief Ronald Bato Dela Rosa evade authorities. Padilla must appear before a panel of prosecutors and submit a counter-affidavit on September 25 and October 9. The complaint, lodged by the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in May, claims Padilla aided Dela Rosa’s exit from the Semate premises after an ICC arrest warrant was attempted on May 11, leading to a chase inside the Senate building.

Dela Rosa, subject to an arrest warrant for alleged involvement in crimes against humanity that caused at least 32 deaths between July 2016 and April 2018, was placed under Senate protective custody before disappearing on May 14. Padilla has denied assisting the escape, stating Dela Rosa only requested a ride. In addition to the DOJ subpoena, Padilla is also facing an obstruction of justice complaint before the Office of the Ombudsman.