By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan | Philippine News Agency
Philippine National Police chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered an internal investigation into allegations that local police escorted Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa out of the Senate compound on May 14.
“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 in a statement on Sunday.
Pasay City Police chief PCol. Joselito de Sesto earlier confirmed he was inside the white police vehicle seen in a video leaving the Senate compound at around 3 a.m. on May 14 alongside a black van suspected of carrying Dela Rosa.
He denied providing escort.
“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,” Nartatez said.
Dela Rosa appeared at the Senate last May 11 after disappearing for about six months amid rumors of an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He was put under Senate custody and after staying inside the upper chamber’s building for several days, he fled, just hours after a gunfire incident the previous night.
Nartatez denied any authorization from Camp Crame for covert assistance or special movement operations, addressing allegations that national police leadership may have known about Dela Rosa’s supposed departure plans.
“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. (PNA)
