PNP Chief Calls for Investigation After Controversial Van Escorting Senator
In a gripping turn of events, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Police General Melencio Nartatez Jr., has ordered an urgent internal investigation into shocking allegations that police officers acted as escorts for a black van believed to have carried Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa away from the Senate in the early hours of May 14.
The air is thick with tension as Nartatez emphasizes, “Let me be absolutely clear: the Philippine National Police does not operate on blind trust. The integrity of our institution is at stake.” Following initial clarifications from Pasay City’s Police Chief, the chief of police has taken decisive steps to verify if any unauthorized police assistance was rendered that night.
As many know, Senator Dela Rosa finds himself at the center of attention due to an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). He stands accused of being a key player in a dubious plan led by former President Rodrigo Duterte — a plan that allegedly involved targeting criminals with deadly force. This scrutiny isn’t new; Dela Rosa previously served as the Davao City Police chief during Duterte’s mayorship and was appointed PNP chief when Duterte took office in 2016.
The stakes climbed even higher recently. After Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla revealed details about the ICC’s pursuit of Dela Rosa, he went into hiding. Yet, just last Monday, he emerged at the Senate to cast an important vote, only to find himself cornered. National Bureau of Investigation agents arrived with the arrest warrant, but Dela Rosa dashed into the Senate session hall, where he remained under the Senate’s sanctuary.
Despite the surrounding chaos, Dela Rosa was reported to have mysteriously vanished from the Senate on May 14, amidst tight security protocols. Footage from the scene showed a white Toyota Fortuner leaving the Senate parking lot around 2:30 a.m. Just minutes later, a police vehicle, clearly marked, exited as well.
The timeline spun a web of curiosity and speculation. Police Colonel Joselito De Sesto, the chief of Pasay City Police, confirmed the presence of a police mobile unit leaving the premises but quickly clarified, “Our police vehicle was not part of any convoy for any personality.” Instead, he insisted it was merely a coincidence that it left at the same time as the black van.
De Sesto added, “I have no information about the black van or its occupants. There was no interaction or coordination between our police unit and that vehicle.” He asserted that the police mobile took a different route back, contributing to the narrative of confusion.
In response to the unsettling unfolding of events, Nartatez instructed investigators to secure deployment logs, dispatch records, mobility records, and any available body camera footage from the Senate complex that night. He remains steadfast, saying, “If we discover any unauthorized coordination or false reporting, those responsible will face serious consequences, both administratively and criminally.”
He reiterated that the PNP leadership had no knowledge of Dela Rosa’s supposed departure plans, placing emphasis on their commitment to public safety in the wake of a volatile shooting incident that had occurred earlier that day.
“We do not partake in clandestine escorts or maneuvers,” Nartatez declared firmly. “If any officer acted outside our mandates, they did so entirely on their own accord, without authorization.”
As this story continues to unfold, the public watches closely, wondering how deep the layers of this unfolding mystery truly go. The PNP asserts its commitment to justice and integrity, all while the specter of lost trust looms overhead.
