Then Philippine National Police Chief General Oscar Albayalde gestures during a Senate Blue Ribbon Committee investigation on "ninja cops" at the Philippine Senate in Pasay City on Oct. 9, 2019. Mike Alquinto, ABS-CBN News/File 

MANILA — Former police chief Oscar Albayalde on Friday said he would exhaust his legal options should the International Criminal Court (ICC) order his arrest for his role in former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

Lawyer Kristina Conti, an ICC assistant to counsel, earlier said Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa and Albayalde could be the next to receive arrest warrants from the ICC for alleged crimes against humanity after Duterte was turned over to the court.

In an exclusive interview with ABS-CBN News, Albayalde said his possible arrest remained a speculation. He also alleged that he was part of “collateral damage” in a “political issue”.

“Kung darating at darating yan, mayroon naman tayong legal measures na gagawin. Kung ie-exhaust natin ang legal measures at di tayo tutulungan ng gobyerno, wala tayong magagawa. After serving this government for almost 38 years, kung ganoon ang ano sa atin, wala tayong magagawa,” said Albayalde, who served as police chief between April 2018 and October 2019. 

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“Hindi na ito crimes against humanity na sinasabi. It has become a political issue. Sabi nila, collateral damage kami. Hindi lang kami ang collateral damage, the whole Filipino people,” he said.

He said he was preparing for possible arrest by the Interpol. He added that he would coordinate with the local police.

“Nakita natin kung ano ang nangyari kay former President Duterte at hindi naman malayo na mangyari sa atin yun. Siya nga dating presidente ginanun, tayo pa na ordinary citizen lang,” he said.

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He asserted that Duterte did not issue any directive to kill drug peddlers and that operations were carried out in line with the rule of law.

“Kahit pagbalig-baliktarin mo ang Oplan Double Barrel. Walang nakalagay doon na pumatay nang pumatay nang pumatay… Wala siyang binigay nang direct or indirect order sa amin personally. Kung makita niyo ang action especially ako, wala akong inutos sa mga kapulisan natin na sumunod sa sinasabi ng dating presidente,” said Albayalde.

“We stick to the plan and we stick to that concept and explicitly written doon to follow the rule of law and to respect human rights. Nandyan yan and never in the history of the Philippine constabulary or the Armed Forces of the Philippines or even the PNP na ang word of neutralization ay synonymous sa word na kill,” he said.  

Duterte's first appearance at the International Criminal Court has been set for Friday.