The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday advised its personnel who are considering testifying in the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) investigation into alleged human rights violations during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-illegal drugs campaign to first seek legal advice.

PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said the ICC’s call for witnesses is not mandatory and should be approached with caution.

“Any PNP personnel contemplating to come out should seek legal advice since the call from the ICC is an appeal, not a compulsion,” Tuaño said. 

This came after the ICC Office of the Prosecutor (OTP) publicly appealed for police officers and other law enforcement agents to come forward and testify regarding alleged extrajudicial killings linked to the Duterte administration’s controversial war on drugs.

In a statement released Thursday (Friday in Manila), the ICC said it is seeking direct witnesses to the incidents under investigation.

“The Office is appealing for direct witnesses to these incidents, including members of the Philippine National Police and other law enforcement agencies who were involved in these incidents, to come forward and speak with members of the Office,” the ICC said.

The ICC also made available an online submission form, assuring potential witnesses that they can file their complaints “securely.”

The appeal comes months after Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla earlier revealed information about a supposed arrest warrant against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a former PNP chief and a key architect of the drug war. 

However, the existence of such a warrant was not confirmed by other Philippine officials nor by the ICC itself.

The Philippines formally withdrew from the ICC in 2019 under Duterte’s administration, but the international court has maintained that it retains jurisdiction over crimes allegedly committed while the country was still a member.

The PNP has repeatedly emphasized that the organization will respect the rule of law while also protecting the legal rights and welfare of its personnel amid developments related to the ICC probe.