MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it would again assist the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) if additional arrest warrants are issued against other individuals accused in the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

Bato to avail of 'Senate protection' in case ICC orders his arrest

Col. Randulf Tuaño, chief of the PNP-Public Information Office, reiterated that as a member of Interpol, the PNP is duty-bound to cooperate with the international organization.

“Same procedure po,” Tuaño said. “Ito po ‘yong commitment natin po sa [Interpol]. Kung hihingi po sila sa atin ng tulong ay same accord po ang ibibigay po natin sa kanila.”

(It’s the same procedure. This is our commitment to Interpol. If they ask for our assistance, we will extend the same level of cooperation.)

Tuaño, however, said the PNP has not received any information regarding potential new arrest warrants.

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, who served as the first national police chief under former President Rodrigo Duterte, was a key figure in implementing the administration’s controversial anti-drug campaign. He remains one of the subjects of the ICC probe into the bloody crackdown.

Dela Rosa says to turn himself in when Senate protection from possible ICC arrest ends

Tuaño declined to comment on the senator’s earlier statement that he would seek the Senate’s protection if an ICC warrant were issued for his arrest.

“Pagdating po doon sa procedure po ng pag-aresto ay kung maaari lang po is ‘wag nang pag-usapan. Basta ang sinasabi lang po, ‘yong commitment lang po ng Pilipinas sa pagsisilbi po ng arrest warrant kung sakaling hihiling po ang Interpol,” he said.

(As for the arrest procedures, if possible, let’s not discuss that. What we are emphasizing is the Philippines’ commitment to serving an arrest warrant should Interpol request it.)

Bato to seek SC relief if ICC wants him arrested over drug war

Duterte was arrested last week on an ICC warrant over alleged crimes against humanity linked to the years-long war on drugs, which resulted in the deaths of thousands, mostly poor suspected drug users and dealers.

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