Manila: Police on Monday announced the serving of a subpoena on Senator Ronald 'Bato' Dela Rosa as part of the renewed investigation into alleged human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings associated with the anti-drug campaign initiated during his tenure as the police chief of Davao City.

According to Philippines News Agency, the subpoena, which was signed by Major General Robert Alexander Morico II, the chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), mandates Dela Rosa's appearance before the CIDG's Major Crimes Investigation Unit at Camp Crame on Thursday, May 14. The document requires the senator to clarify issues, provide a sworn statement or affidavit, and submit documents and relevant information pertinent to the investigation conducted by the CIDG.

During a press briefing on Monday, Brigadier General Randulf Tua±o, the Philippine National Police (PNP) information chief and spokesperson, confirmed that the subpoena had been delivered to Dela Rosa's residence in Davao City and his Senate office in Pasay City. Since the senator was not present at his residence, the subpoena was served through substituted service and received by his caretaker.

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla emphasized that the subpoena is not an arrest warrant but an order for Dela Rosa to appear personally before the CIDG. He clarified that the subpoena is unrelated to the ongoing International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into the Duterte administration's anti-drug campaign, during which Dela Rosa served as the PNP chief. Remulla noted that if an ICC warrant is issued, appropriate actions will be taken.

The subpoena warns that failure to comply without sufficient cause or justification may lead to a case for Indirect Contempt of Court under Rule 71 of the Revised Rules of Court, in relation to Section 1 of Republic Act No. 10973. Remulla declined to comment on potential consequences should Dela Rosa ignore the summons.