CIDG to file obstruction raps vs Padilla over Bato escape

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May 27, 2026 | 10:05am

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) will refer an obstruction of justice complaint to the Department of Justice against Sen. Robin Padilla and others for helping Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa escape.

In a statement on Wednesday, May 27, the CIDG said that Padilla and several other people facilitated the exit of Dela Rosa from the Senate premises in the early morning hours of May 14, after the shooting incident, which led to Dela Rosa’s disappearance.

“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,” the statement read.

The CIDG added that there was another vehicle that served as their “security escort and backup car.”

The two senators allegedly left the Senate in a white Toyota van, which allegedly belongs to Padilla.

On May 22, Padilla had already denied the accusations that he actively helped Dela Rosa’s escape, despite also admitting that they left the Senate premises together.

He insisted that he only gave Dela Rosa a hitch ride.

Currently, the authorities are still tracking down Dela Rosa’s whereabouts to enforce an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the senator’s alleged participation in crimes against humanity committed by former president Rodrigo Duterte.

The National Bureau of Investigation also recommended canceling Dela Rosa’s 118 gun licenses as he was presumed to be “armed and dangerous.”