By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Tuesday any implementation of a reported International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa would follow legal procedures, including extradition proceedings and direct surrender mechanisms under Philippine law.
In a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said the police force would act only on lawful orders and in coordination with concerned government agencies.
“The PNP remains guided by existing laws and lawful directives in relation to the reported ICC warrant confirmation,” Tuaño said.
He explained that one possible route involves extradition proceedings through Philippine courts and the Department of Justice, while another involves direct surrender under Republic Act 9851 through coordination with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), the National Central Bureau (NCB) in Manila, and the Philippine Center for Transnational Crime (PCTC).
The NCB is the Interpol’s local branch in the Philippines while the PCTC is the country’s liaison to Interpol.
“In the event that a court order is issued based on coordination through the NCB/PCTC and concerned authorities, the PNP will implement the appropriate contingency plans and necessary operational measures in accordance with due process and established protocols,” Tuaño said, adding that the PNP has yet to receive an order to arrest Dela Rosa.
“Handang-handa naman ang Philippine National Police… na kung saka-sakali mai-tap na sila ng NCB-PCTC na i-implement yung ICC warrant (The Philippine National Police… is ready in the event that they are tapped by the NCB-PCTC to implement the ICC warrant),” he said.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group would be the unit tasked with implementing the warrant.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police organization has yet to receive any official communication regarding the matter.
“As such, the PNP is not in a position to issue further comment pending proper verification and coordination through the appropriate channels,” Nartatez said in a statement.
He added that police deployment near the Senate was a preventive security measure amid protests by Dela Rosa supporters.
“Our presence at the Senate is strictly a proactive security measure to ensure public order and the safety of the institution. The PNP is here to provide perimeter security and prevent any potential civil disturbance arising from the current political situation,” he said.
For his part, Southern Police District (SPD) Director Brig. Gen. Glenn Oliver Cinco said police would exercise “maximum tolerance” toward protesters unless they become disruptive.
“Kung maging unruly na sila, kung nakakapanakit na sila, huhulihin namin sila (If they become unruly, if they start hurting people, we will arrest them,” Cinco said during the press briefing.
About 343 SPD personnel, most of them from the Civil Disturbance Management (CDM) unit, were deployed to provide security outside premises of the Senate building in Pasay City.
Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV earlier presented what he said was a copy of the ICC warrant against Dela Rosa, prompting heightened security around the Senate complex. (PNA)
