The Manila Times
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued a series of subpoenas to key government institutions as part of its expanding investigation tied to the enforcement of the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Sen. Ronald dela Rosa and alleged obstruction of justice surrounding his reported movements. Justice Secretary Frederick Vida said in a media briefing on Tuesday that the special panel of prosecutors has ordered the production of documents from the Senate, the Commission on Audit (COA), and the Philippine National Police–Firearms and Explosives Office (PNP-FEO), as part of efforts to establish a complete factual record relevant to the case. At the center of the subpoenas is the Office of the Senate Secretary, which was directed to submit internal records, including security entry and exit logs, as well as documents from the Office of the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms covering personnel deployment and security procedures. The DOJ also requested a complete inventory of firearms owned by the Senate, along with issuance records identifying officials or employees authorized to possess or access specific weapons. Authorities said the request included verification of a firearm allegedly seen in video footage, described as a “Scorpion” type weapon. Vida said the security logs were essential in reconstructing movements within the Senate premises during the period under investigation, noting that entry and exit records are routinely time-stamped and could help establish a clear timeline. “Every entry and exit is recorded. We are validating those records as part of the investigation,” he said. The COA was also subpoenaed to submit audit and inventory reports related to Senate assets, particularly firearms and other regulated equipment under government custody. In a parallel directive, the PNP–Firearms and Explosives Office was ordered to produce records on firearms registered under the Senate, including ownership and licensing data, to verify accountability and trace weapon issuance. Vida said the coordinated subpoenas form part of a broader fact-finding effort linked to the ICC warrant enforcement and the ongoing determination of possible obstruction of justice. He stressed that the probe was not limited to locating dela Rosa but also covered whether individuals or institutions may have helped conceal persons of interest, tamper with evidence, or delay law enforcement actions. The DOJ said the ICC warrant against dela Rosa remained valid and enforceable in the Philippines, with operational efforts to locate him continuing. Vida declined to confirm details on an Interpol red notice application, saying such matters remained within operational channels, but said enforcement mechanisms were actively being pursued. The justice chief added that the panel of prosecutors would assess all relevant admissions and factual circumstances to determine possible liability of other individuals who may have assisted or facilitated movements linked to the senator. He said the subpoenas were intended to ground the investigation on documentary evidence as agencies begin submitting the required records to the DOJ panel.
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