MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Justice’s National Prosecution Service confirmed it has received the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) obstruction of justice complaint against Senator Robin Padilla.

Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon confirmed to reporters that they received the complaint late afternoon on Thursday, May 28.

On Wednesday, May 27, the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) announced that it would refer to the DOJ a complaint against Padilla and others “who facilitated the escape” of Senator Bato dela Rosa.

“Following a thorough investigation, the CIDG has officially concluded that the transport of Senator Dela Rosa was not a mere hitch ride on Senator Padilla’s car, but a highly coordinated, pre-planned logistical maneuver specifically executed to avoid detection while escaping the Senate premises in the dawn of May 14, 2026,” the CIDG said.

“Furthermore, the investigation revealed that there was another vehicle tailing the car of Senator Padilla, which served as a security escort and backup car during the maneuver,” it added.

Dela Rosa went into hiding for six months to evade his International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant over his crimes against humanity case that stems from former president Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs and the Davao Death Squad killings. He reappeared on May 11 to back Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s Senate presidency.

The former PNP chief sought refuge inside the Senate and escaped on May 14 — hours after a shooting incident inside the Senate. He has been hiding ever since.

Padilla was named a person of interest by the National Bureau of Investigation on May 15 after it was revealed that Dela Rosa left the Senate compound with him at around 2:30 am on May 14. When asked about Dela Rosa’s escape on May 18, Padilla evaded reporters’ questions, saying people should just wait for the official report.

On May 22, Padilla said his ally merely just asked for a ride, and that Dela Rosa got off somewhere in Makati City where a vehicle was already waiting for the former PNP chief. – Rappler.com

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المصدر: Rappler (PH)