Albayalde ready for ICC

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga — Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Albayalde is ready should the International Criminal Court (ICC) order his arrest for his role in the war on drugs during the term of former President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte is under ICC detention in The Hague, Netherlands awaiting trial on a charge of committing crimes against humanity. He was arrested in Manila last Tuesday and was forthwith bundled off to The Hague.

Albayalde was present at the rally of Duterte supporters at Astro Park in the Clark Freeport in Pampanga on Thursday where he said he was ready to face the ICC if he is put on trial.

He hopes to go through the proper legal process and be protected by the Philippine government.

It will be recalled that ICC Assistant Counsel Atty. Kristina Conti, secretary general of the National Union of People’s Lawyers-NCR, said there is a possibility arrest warrants will be issued by the ICC for Albayalde as well as another former PNP chief, incumbent Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa.

The two implemented the war of drugs ordered by Duterte where thousands of suspected users and pushers were killed.

Albayalde said it was the saddest day in the history of the Philippines when Duterte was arrested. Duterte, he added, did not have to be brought before an international court since the country has its own laws.

The PNP chief under the Duterte administration from 2018 to 2019 said in a social media interview: “If the government plans to surrender us, we don’t have a choice.”

Albayalde, who is running for mayor of Angeles City, said that despite having served the country for 38 years, if this is what the government will do to repay him, then he has no other options.