MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed the issuance of subpoenas against Senator Robin Padilla and his chief of staff, Col. (retired) Jean Alla Yasin Robles, in connection with 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) filed the complaint against the two on May 28, accusing them of allegedly helping Senator Bato Dela Rosa leave the area following the May 13 shooting incident at the Senate.

Padilla and Robles were directed to appear before the DOJ panel of prosecutors on Sept. 25 and Oct. 9, respectively.

Padilla earlier acknowledged that Dela Rosa rode in his SUV early on May 14. He said Dela Rosa was not a fugitive and did not have a locally issued arrest warrant at the time.

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

He was chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) when former president Rodrigo Duterte launched his campaign against illegal drugs in 2016.

Duterte is currently detained at the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, where he faces crimes against humanity charges over his administration’s campaign against illegal drugs./PNA