MANILA — The Department of Justice (DOJ) is examining whether a series of events inside the Senate were part of a broader plan to help Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa avoid arrest, including his placement under protective custody and incidents that occurred before and after the May 13 shooting incident.

In a report, it said that Justice Secretary Frederick Vida said Wednesday that the DOJ special panel is reviewing whether specific actions may have constituted obstruction of justice and is assessing the sequence of events as a whole.

“Tinitignan pangkalahatan na ‘yung mga actions ba nu’n simula pa lang, ito ba ay planado, mas malaking plano, ‘di ba? Nilagay siya sa protective custody, ito ba ay kasama sa plano?” Vida said in a briefing.

He added that the panel is assessing statements and declarations made during the incident period, including references to a Senate lockdown and claims that the chamber was under attack.

“‘Yung pagsasalita ba or ‘yung pagsasabi ba ng under attack, ‘yung pagsasabi ba ng lockdown ng Senado, lahat ito, lahat ng mga bagay na napatunayan na nangyari ay tinitignan para timbangin kung ito ay kabahagi nu’n tinatawag natin na obstruction of justice,” he said.

The DOJ earlier noted that authorities attempted to serve a warrant against dela Rosa on May 11. He was later placed under protective custody and reportedly left the Senate premises early morning of May 14, hours after a Senate lockdown and a shooting incident at the upper chamber building.

Vida said any individual who may have assisted in dela Rosa’s departure after the warrant was unsealed could face liability.

He said the DOJ panel’s initial findings include a recommendation to identify all individuals who may have conspired in or facilitated the senator’s exit.

“Second, to determine whether the NBI and media accounts that sniper shots appear to have been fired from the fifth floor of the Senate building towards an NBI vehicle was part of an orchestrated plan to help facilitate the escape of Senator Dela Rosa in the early morning of 14 May 2026,” he added.

The findings were based on submissions from the Philippine National Police–Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG), media reports, and the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), as well as an ocular inspection at GSIS premises.

Vida said the DOJ was unable to inspect Senate premises after the chamber deferred its request, citing ongoing investigations by the Office of the Ombudsman and the PNP, as well as concerns over jurisdiction since the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is under the DOJ.

The Senate also indicated plans to conduct its own inquiry.

Following the election of Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President, Vida said the DOJ will again seek permission to conduct an ocular inspection.

“With the change in the Senate leadership, we are expecting and hoping that there will be more coordination and cooperation with the panel,” he said.

The DOJ said its investigation remains ongoing.