The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it already has information regarding the possible whereabouts of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa days after he reportedly left the Senate building.
NBI Director Atty. Melvin Matibag confirmed during a press briefing that the agency has information related to Dela Rosa’s location, but he refused to disclose whether authorities know the senator’s exact whereabouts.
Matibag said questions regarding Dela Rosa’s location should be directed to Senator Robin Padilla, whom he identified as the last person seen with the senator.
According to Matibag, the NBI decided not to publicly discuss details about the matter to avoid speculation and to prevent affecting the agency’s ongoing investigation.
The NBI chief also explained why agents reportedly chased Dela Rosa during the incident. He said NBI personnel only ran after the senator because he allegedly started running first.
Matibag said the agents only intended to inform Dela Rosa that the International Criminal Court (ICC) had issued an arrest warrant against him.
He also responded to remarks made by Senate President Alan Peter Cayetano, who earlier said the Senate had not been “broken” or undermined by the NBI operation.
Matibag insisted that the NBI was not the institution threatening the Senate, adding that problems within the institution come from those inside it.
He emphasized that the issue is not personal between him and Cayetano but is instead about the rule of law.
Matibag said the ICC arrest warrant exists and is recognized by the Philippines. He added that public officials, including senators, should still be held accountable under the law.
Cayetano earlier claimed that the NBI failed to present a copy of the ICC arrest warrant to Senate officials. However, Matibag said the document could be viewed on the ICC website and no longer needed to be shown physically.
