The Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) confirmed on Monday that a subpoena has been served to Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa as part of an ongoing fact-finding investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) in the Davao Region.
PRO 11 Director Brigadier General Leon Victor Rosete said the subpoena was served through substituted service at the senator’s residence in Davao City and ancestral house in Santa Cruz, Davao del Sur after he was reportedly not present during the attempt.
Rosete said the subpoena was issued by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) as part of the continuing inquiry which remains at a preliminary stage.
Rosete stressed that the development does not yet involve any formal charges, warrants, or court proceedings.
“Subpoena pa lang talaga ‘yung naibigay. Subpoena pa lang. Wala pang clarificatory po, walang warrant. Wala po, wala pong warrant of arrest. Magkaiba po iyan,” Rosete said during a press conference at Camp Catitipan.
He added that the investigation will proceed regardless of whether the senator submits evidence or appears in the proceedings, noting that respondents are given the opportunity to present their side.
“Kung dili siya mo-appear, then iyung opportunity niya to present evidence, sayang lang ‘di ba? Kasi may evidence na e, there’s an ongoing investigation. Maganda kung mo-appear siya to provide evidence or his defense para mapatid ang kaso,” he said.
Rosete also warned that failure to comply with the subpoena may result in legal consequences, depending on the outcome of the investigation.
“Failure to comply without adequate cause or valid justification shall be ground for the filing of a case for indirect contempt of the court,” he said.
He also cited provisions included in the subpoena.
However, he clarified that no contempt proceedings have been initiated at this stage.
“Sa ngayon po is subpoena pa lang talaga ‘yung naibigay… Wala pang contempt,” Rosete said.
He reiterated that the process remains strictly investigative in nature.
“Investigative po siya… wala pang contempt powers… investigation pa lang,” he added.
Rosete said the probe into alleged extrajudicial killings in the Davao Region continues and remains subject to validation as part of due process.
