The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) does not consider as a failure the missed opportunity to arrest Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa who is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau is aware of the processes and laws that must be followed before carrying out its mission.

He noted that Sen. Dela Rosa also has a pending petition before the Supreme Court against the ICC arrest warrant issued against him.

"We all know there is an ongoing case at the Supreme Court, and although there is no TRO yet, from the point of view of lawyers like those at the DOJ, a three-day or 72-hour period was given for the camp of the government and of Sen. Bato to respond. We believe the Supreme Court will issue a swift resolution, and it is better for us not to act in a manner that does not align with the direction the court will take," Matibag said.

The NBI chief added that the bureau holds the Senate in high regard as an institution, which is why its agents cannot simply enter its premises without proper coordination.

"And when the Senate declared protective custody over Sen. Bato, we thought it best to respect what the Senate said because our respect for our co-equal branch is there," he said.

After Sen. Dela Rosa leaves the Senate, the NBI will coordinate with other agencies and with the Senate itself to determine its next steps.

"There will be inter-agency collaboration with the PNP, NBI, and the law enforcement agencies. The DOJ, PCTC, of course always in coordination with the Office of the President, before we can issue a statement on what will surely be done," Matibag said.