The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it is ready to assist the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) if additional arrest warrants are issued against former President Rodrigo Duterte's "co-perpetrators" in the crimes against humanity case before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said they have not yet received any information on the matter. However, she assured that the PNP has a "template" in place for executing potential arrest warrants for other individuals involved in the bloody drug war.
“First of all, we don't want to preempt the process. Although we know that, aside from the former president, there are others who are also facing charges. But you're right, since the arrest of the former president has already taken place, we more or less have a template in place),” she said.
“This means that if another request comes up and Interpol asks for the PNP's assistance again, the PNP is ready to provide help and implement the warrant in accordance with our existing laws,” she added.
On 11 March, the PNP’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, in coordination with Interpol, led the serving of an arrest warrant to Duterte for his alleged crimes against humanity before the ICC, upon his arrival from Hong Kong.
Duterte was flown to The Hague, Netherlands via a chartered plane paid for by the Office of the President. The government declined to disclose the cost of the flight or the identity of the aircraft's owner.
Upon his arrival in The Hague, Duterte was taken to the ICC detention center. The former President made his first appearance before the ICC on 14 March, via video link.
Earlier, ICC Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti said the international court has been scrutinizing the roles of both Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and another former PNP chief, Oscar Albayalde, in the controversial anti-drug campaign, and that arrest warrants could be issued against them as well.
While the arrest warrant was issued specifically for Duterte, Conti warned Dela Rosa not to be complacent as the ICC has been looking into Albayalde and his role in the war on drugs campaign.
However, Fajardo clarified that there is no available information yet regarding the issuance of any arrest warrants related to the extrajudicial killings, aside from those concerning Duterte.
“As of now, as we speak, we have no information and we have not received any preliminary information that any arrest warrants have been issued concerning other officials or individuals involved in the case at the ICC,” she said.