Manila: The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday confirmed the issuance of subpoenas against Senator Robin Padilla and his chief of staff, Col. (retired) Jean Alla Yasin Robles, to answer complaints of obstruction of justice. DOJ spokesperson Polo Martinez stated that the subpoenas were served on Padilla and Robles at the Senate at 2:30 p.m.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) filed a complaint on May 28 against Padilla and Robles. They are accused of allegedly assisting Senator Bato Dela Rosa in escaping following a shooting incident at the Senate on May 13. The lawmaker and his co-respondent have been ordered to appear before the DOJ panel of prosecutors on September 25 and October 9.

Padilla acknowledged that Dela Rosa rode in his SUV early on May 14, asserting that Dela Rosa was not a fugitive and had no locally issued arrest warrant at that time. Dela Rosa is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for his alleged crimes against humanity. He served as the PNP chief when former President Rodrigo Duterte initiated a campaign against illegal drugs in 2016.

Duterte is currently detained at the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands, where he faces charges of crimes against humanity related to his war on illegal drugs.