THE PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) confirmed that a subpoena was officially served at the Davao City residence of Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday, May 11, in relation to the probe into the extrajudicial killings as part of the war on drugs of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
The subpoena duces tecum, issued by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), marks a significant escalation in the revived investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings (EJKs) and human rights violations. The probe reportedly covers incidents spanning the former President’s term, as well as Dela Rosa’s tenure as Davao City Police Office chief.
PNP spokesperson Brig Gen Randulf Tuaño confirmed that the document was prepared and signed on Sunday, May 10, and delivered to the Senator’s home in Davao City the following day.
This move follows a failed attempt to serve the document at the Senator’s office in the Senate, where staff reportedly declined to sign for it, citing a lack of instructions from Dela Rosa. By serving the subpoena at his private residence, authorities have ensured the legal process continues despite the earlier stall in Manila.
10 a.m. deadline
The CIDG has “invited” the senator to appear at their National Headquarters on Thursday, May 14, 2026, at 10 a.m.
While Dela Rosa has previously expressed a willingness to face local courts rather than international bodies like the ICC, this subpoena represents a domestic legal move by the current PNP leadership to address the controversial legacy of the drug war.
As the news broke, local authorities moved to address the situation in the Davao Region. Police Regional Office (PRO) XI director Leon Victor Rosete is scheduled to hold a high-level press conference at 4 p.m. today at Camp Catitipan, Buhangin District.
The briefing is expected to clarify the regional office’s role in the service of the subpoena and provide further details on the specifics of the CIDG’s requirements.
As of press time, Senator Dela Rosa has not issued a formal statement regarding the subpoena.
TIMES has reached out to the Senator’s camp and is awaiting a response.
The revival of this investigation comes amid shifting political alliances and increasing pressure from human rights groups to provide accountability for the thousands of deaths recorded during the previous administration’s anti-drug operations.
