MANILA - Philippine National Police Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said he would use subpoena powers granted to him under a new law only in "extreme cases."

The issuance of summons will be delegated to the PNP's Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, but Dela Rosa said he would exercise such authority if the CIDG chief or the PNP deputy director for administration are unable to do so.

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"Sinasabi kong ayaw kong gamitin yan pero there are extreme cases and situations. Masa-sacrifice ang resolution kung hindi ako mag-i-issue," he told reporters at Camp Crame.

(I don't want to use it, but there are extreme cases and situations. The resolution will be sacrificed if I don't issue it.)

Republic Act 10973, signed by President Rodrigo Duterte last week, allowed the director general of the PNP and the director and deputy director for administration of the CIDG to issue summons for persons or documents.

Dela Rosa said any attempt to abuse the subpoena powers would be dealt with accordingly.

The new law will "add more teeth" to the PNP and help speed up the resolution of cases, he said.

Dela Rosa said the PNP would most likely issue summons for possible suspects and witnesses in high-profile cases.