MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has recommended that the Department of Justice (DOJ) officially summon Sen. Robinhood Padilla to explain the disappearance of fugitive Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa from Senate custody.
NBI Director Melvin Matibag yesterday identified Padilla as the last person seen with Dela Rosa before the senator was declared missing.
“Anyone who can clarify where Sen. Bato is and how it happened is no one else but Padilla,” Matibag said.?Padilla had admitted that Dela Rosa rode his vehicle and was dropped off at a specific location, according to Matibag.
While the NBI has provided all investigative details to the DOJ, Matibag noted that the authority to issue a subpoena rests with the DOJ.
The investigation is looking into other personalities captured on closed-circuit television footage who may have played a role in Dela Rosa’s escape.
Matibag said Dela Rosa is now considered a “fugitive from justice” and those responsible for his escape from protective custody must be held accountable for any lapses.
Video not spliced
The NBI has denied allegations that video footage of the May 13 shooting incident at the Senate had been spliced or selectively edited to fit the narrative of authorities.
“There are timestamps on the CCTV footage,” Matibag said. “It may be that only portions were shown publicly to focus on specific events, but the claim that the footage itself was manipulated is difficult to support because CCTV does not lie.”
Ballistics findings contradicted claims that shots came from the Government Service Insurance System complex, where NBI agents had entered, Matibag asserted.
Footage reviewed by probers showed only one NBI agent in the area where suspended Senate sergeant-at-arms Mao Aplasca reportedly entered and fired shots, Matibag said.