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MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group has ordered Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa to appear before investigators over alleged extrajudicial killings in the Davao Region.
Based on a copy of the summons issued on May 10, the CIDG asked Dela Rosa to appear at Camp Crame in Quezon City on May 14.
The investigation involves statements made by SPO3 Arturo Lascañas before the House quad committee on Dela Rosa's alleged involvement in extrajudicial killings in the Davao Region.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on May 10 that a subpoena would be issued to Dela Rosa for the EJK probe. He said the senator is the "tip of the spear" in what would become a broader investigation into killings and possible abuse in police operations.
ICC warrant rumors
The summons came after reports on May 9 that the International Criminal Court had issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa as a co-perpetrator of detained former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The ICC, however, denied that there was a public warrant issued against any individual as of May 9.
It was November 8 last year when former Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, now the ombudsman, said an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa had been issued by the international tribunal. The ICC said on November 10 that it could not confirm the existence of such a warrant.
The reports, however, prompted Dela Rosa to go under the radar and skip Senate hearings. The Senate is now mulling the possible withholding of his salary over his absences.
Duterte ICC case
The arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte in March 2025 led to petitions before the Supreme Court challenging his arrest and the government's cooperation with Interpol.
Dela Rosa was among the petitioners in one of the petitions, along with Duterte.
Duterte, who had appointed Dela Rosa as Philippine National Police chief, was turned over to the ICC after arriving from Hong Kong.
He was taken into custody for alleged crimes against humanity, including murder, in connection with thousands of deaths attributed to his administration's anti-drug campaign.
As PNP chief, Dela Rosa spearheaded Oplan Tokhang, the main initiative of Duterte's war on drugs.
Human rights organizations have claimed that the campaign's death toll may have reached up to 30,000.
