MANILA – The Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) said the shooting incident inside the Senate and the reported departure of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa are being treated as “related” events in its ongoing investigation.

“So, let me just say na, you know, two incidents po ‘yan. They are related,” CIDG chief Police Major General Robert Morico II said at a press conference.

“But the investigation is already with the Department of Justice. I do not want to preempt yung [the] findings po ng [of the] Department of Justice (DOJ),” he added.

Morico said investigators are looking into the possibility that a backup pickup vehicle was positioned outside the Senate premises after Dela Rosa and his companions allegedly left the building.

Authorities said around six individuals, including Senator Robinhood Padilla, are being investigated in connection with a possible obstruction of justice complaint linked to the incident.

However, Morico declined to conclude whether the Senate shooting was staged or used as a “supervening event” to justify Dela Rosa’s exit.

ICC arrest warrant

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has earlier confirmed that it issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa in connection with killings under the government’s war on drugs.

While the Senate building was under lockdown and Dela Rosa was under the upper chamber’s protective custody on May 13, gunshots were reported inside the premises of the legislature.

Hours later, before dawn on May 14, the senator reportedly left the Senate building.

Authorities have since deployed tracker teams to locate and arrest him.

On Wednesday, the PNP said it had revoked Dela Rosa’s firearms licenses.

However, Dela Rosa’s camp on Thursday said they will appeal the decision before the PNP, according to his lawyer Atty. Israelito Torreon.