The Philippine National Police (PNP) is evaluating the legal status of a subpoena issued to Senator Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa while he remains in Senate custody.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño stated, 'This is situational. Let’s just wait for Thursday, May 14, 10 a.m., to see what legal actions will be taken in the case of Senator dela Rosa.'
Dela Rosa was subpoenaed by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on May 11 as part of an investigation into extrajudicial killings linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war.
This investigation is also connected to a case of crimes against humanity filed at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Dela Rosa's subpoena requires him to appear before the CIDG at Camp Crame on Thursday.
Under Republic Act No. 10973, the PNP chief and CIDG officials can issue subpoenas related to their investigations.
The law states that any individual failing to comply with a subpoena may face indirect contempt proceedings.
While the PNP has issued the subpoena, Tuaño noted that the current Senate protective custody for Dela Rosa is temporary.
He remarked, 'We’ll take this situationally because we know that the Senate protection order is not long-term.'
'Ordinarily, the subject’s lawyer may attend if they’re called and if there is a legitimate reason.'
Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño
Earlier this week, the ICC confirmed it had sought to arrest Dela Rosa regarding the drug war investigations.
Despite the NBI's efforts to enforce the ICC warrant, Dela Rosa has remained under Senate custody.