PNP ready to assist implementing possible arrest warrants for others linked to Duterte's drug war
The Philippine National Police is ready to assist Interpol in serving possible arrest warrants for the "co-perpetrators" of former president Rodrigo Duterte's controversial war on drugs.
PNP spokesperson PBGen. Jean Fajardo told Super Radyo dzBB on March 16 that no information on an arrest warrant is out yet, as of writing.
"Ayaw nating pangunahan yung proseso, pero alam natin na maliban kay dating pangulo, may mga kasama siya doon sa mga nakasuhan," she said.
"More or less, may template na tayo. Ibig sabihin, kung sakaling may lalabas po at hihingin muli ng Interpol ang tulong ng PNP, nakahanda ang PNP na mag provide ng assistance sa iimplement nating itong warrant na ito according po sa umiiral na batas," Fajardo added.
ICC assistant to counsel Atty. Kristina Conti shared in a March 12 interview with dzBB Super Radyo that Sen. Bato Dela Rosa and Oscar Albayalde, who both served as chief of the police during Duterte's administration, may be served an arrest warrant next.
In the documents by ICC's Office of the Prosecutor first released by former senator Antonio Trillanes IV in July 2024, other ex-PNP officials named as suspects were former Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Romeo Caramat Jr., former National Police Commission commissioner Edilberto Leonardo, and former PNP Intelligence Officer Eleazar Matta.
Dela Rosa has said he would go to the Senate for protection should the ICC issue an arrest warrant for him.
"Hanggang saan kaya protektahan ako ng Senado, dun lang ako. 'Pag sabihin nila 'di na kaya, you have to surrender yourself, I will turn in myself peacefully," he said in a Dateline Philippines interview on March 13.
Duterte made his initial appearance before ICC judges on March 14 via video conference. He could be the first Asian former head of state to be indicted by the ICC.
Following this appearance, a confirmation of charges hearing will follow, during which the judges will decide whether the prosecution has presented enough evidence for the case to go to trial.
If the charges are confirmed, it could be months before the case eventually goes on trial and years before a final judgment is rendered.
