THE Office of the Ombudsman on Thursday announced that opposition Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has already complied with its order to answer the complaint for violation of Presidential Decree 1829 (obstruction of justice) filed against him, Senator Robin Padilla and former Senate-Sergeant-at-Arms Mao Aplasca.
Cayetano, according to the Ombudsman, submitted his counter-affidavit on Wednesday through his counsel.
The counter-affidavit is in response to the ongoing investigation into the complaint for obstruction of justice filed by civil society and human rights groups led by Tinding Pilipinas.
The complaint assails Cayetano’s decision to grant protective custody to Sen. Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela despite the arrest order issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
It may be recalled that Dela Rosa, who is wanted by the ICC for crimes against humanity in connection with the Duterte administration’s anti-drug war, was placed under the Senate protective custody when he appeared at the Senate on May 11 after six months in hiding.
This prevented the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) from implementing the ICC-issued arrest warrant against him.
However, Dela Rosa managed to leave the Senate premises before dawn of May 14 following a shooting incident between Senate security forces under Aplasca and NBI agents.
The protective custody, according to the complainants, had no lawful basis and operated as a sanctuary to shield Dela Rosa from apprehension.
The complaint also noted that Dela Rosa escaped from the Senate despite being under its protective custody.
Padilla, on the other hand, was included as respondents in the complainant after he admitted that Dela Rosa ‘hitched’ a ride aboard his car to be able to leave the Senate premises.
The Ombudsman said it is still awaiting the counter-affidavits of Padilla and Aplasca.