The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) served a subpoena on Monday, May 11, 2026, to several known addresses of Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa, as the agency reopened its investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the country.
Subpoena Details
In a press conference, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño confirmed that CIDG personnel delivered the subpoena to Dela Rosa's office in the Senate in Pasay City, as well as to his two residences in Barangay Magtuod in Davao City and Barangay Bato in Santa Cruz. The subpoena requires Dela Rosa to appear on May 14, Thursday, before the CIDG Major Crimes Division Unit to "clarify matters, execute a sworn statement or affidavit, submit documents, and provide other relevant information" related to the alleged EJK cases under investigation.
Tuaño warned that under the law granting authority to the CIDG director, failure to appear could result in a charge of indirect contempt of court.
Background of the Investigation
On Sunday, May 10, 2026, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced he had ordered the CIDG to reopen the investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings that occurred during Dela Rosa's tenure as Davao City police chief, later as PNP chief, and as the implementer of former President Rodrigo Duterte's drug war. Remulla emphasized that this probe is separate from the ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into crimes against humanity during the drug war, which led to Duterte's detention in The Hague, Netherlands.
The investigation will be based on the report of the House of Representatives Quad-Committee, which examined EJKs under the drug war, along with other reports and complaints of extrajudicial killings and abuses.
ICC Rumors and Dela Rosa's Absence
On Saturday, May 9, 2026, rumors circulated that the ICC had issued an arrest warrant for Dela Rosa, who has been named a co-perpetrator in Duterte's case. Since November 2025, Dela Rosa has not attended any Senate sessions or public events, following Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla's statement that the ICC had issued a warrant for his arrest over his alleged involvement in crimes against humanity during the drug war.
The PNP chief and CIDG's subpoena powers were restored in 2018 under Republic Act 10973. At that time, Dela Rosa was the PNP chief and one of the officials who directly benefited from the new authority. After the law was signed, Dela Rosa remarked that no additional implementing rules were necessary, as only three officials could exercise the authority, and controversially stated that "conscience" would guide their use of subpoena powers.
