MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered an internal investigation into allegations that police personnel may have escorted Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa out of the Senate compound on May 14.

In a statement on Sunday, Nartatez said the probe will examine official records, including logbooks, CCTV footage, and radio dispatches, to verify what happened during the early morning incident.

“Let me be absolutely clear: the Philippine National Police does not operate on blind because the integrity of our institution is at stake. While we have received the initial clarification from the Pasay City Police Chief, I have already directed concerned investigative units to conduct an independent review of the logbooks, CCTV (closed-circuit television) feeds, and radio dispatches from that morning,” Nartatez said.

Pasay City Police chief Col. Joselito de Sesto earlier confirmed that he was inside a white police vehicle seen leaving the Senate compound at around 3 a.m. on May 14 alongside a black van suspected of carrying Dela Rosa. However, he denied that the police provided any escort.

Nartatez warned that any personnel found to have violated protocols could face sanctions.

“If the investigation reveals that there was any unauthorized coordination, false reporting, or logistical support given to evade legal processes, those involved will face the full brunt of administrative and criminal sanctions,” he said.

Dela Rosa appeared at the Senate on May 11 after going missing for about six months amid reports of a possible International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. He was later placed under Senate custody before leaving the chamber days later, shortly after a shooting incident inside the Senate.

The PNP chief also rejected claims that national police leadership authorized any covert assistance or planned movement for the senator.

“As the Chief of the PNP, I categorically state that the national leadership had no prior knowledge of, nor did it authorize any logistical assistance for, the departure of Senator Dela Rosa from the Senate premises. Our deployment in the area was strictly confined to public safety, crowd control, and managing the perimeter following the highly volatile shooting incident that occurred hours prior,” Nartatez said.