By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it is prepared if the International Criminal Court (ICC) seeks the International Criminal Police Organization’s (Interpol) assistance to implement the alleged arrest warrant against former President Rodrigo Duterte.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the PNP, as a member of Interpol, is duty-bound to cooperate with the international police body.
Fajardo, however, said there is no verifiable information whether the ICC had already issued an arrest warrant for Duterte.
“Dadaan tayo sa proseso. Kung meron pong hihingin po na tulong ‘yong ating (We will go through the process. If there is any request for assistance from our) Interpol, the PNP has a legal obligation to reciprocate ‘yong courtesy na ibinibigay po sa atin ng Interpol (the courtesy that Interpol gives us),” she said in a press conference at Camp Crame.
She also said the PNP has not received any arrest warrant issued by local courts for the former leader.
Fajardo clarified that the deployment of the 7,000 personnel is part of a simulation exercise for election security preparations in different regions, and not for Duterte’s arrest.
“Probably, they just misinterpreted some of the movements in other regions na meron pong mga (that have) ongoing simulation exercise relating po sa ating (in our) preparation for the national and local elections,” she added.
The ICC is currently gathering evidence in its investigation into alleged crimes against humanity associated with Duterte’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs.
Government data showed that over 6,200 drug suspects died in the war on drugs from June 2016 to November 2021 under Duterte’s administration. (PNA)
