DOJ summons Senator Robin Padilla over obstruction complaint

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday confirmed the issuance of subpoenas against Senator Robin Padilla and his chief of staff, Col. (retired) Jean Alla Yasin Robles, to answer complaints of obstruction of justice.

DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez said the subpoenas were served on Padilla and Robles at the Senate at 2:30 p.m.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on May 28 filed a complaint against Padilla and Robles for allegedly helping Senator Bato Dela Rosa escape following the shooting incident at the Senate on May 13.

The lawmaker and his co-respondent were ordered to appear before the DOJ panel of prosecutors on Sept. 25 and Oct. 9.

Padilla admitted that Dela Rosa hitched a ride in his SUV early on May 14, saying the latter was not a fugitive and had no locally issued arrest warrant at the time.

Dela Rosa is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his alleged crimes against humanity.

He was the PNP chief when former president Rodrigo Duterte launched a deadly campaign against illegal drugs in 2016.

Duterte is detained at the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, facing charges of crimes against humanity over his war against illegal drugs. (PNA)