PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño (Photo courtesy of PNP)
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday it has yet to receive coordination from Interpol’s local bureau regarding the reported arrest warrant against Senator Ronald Dela Rosa, although it said preparations are in place should a lawful directive be issued.
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said in Filipino during a briefing that the National Central Bureau and the Philippine Center for Transnational Crime had not yet convened to discuss implementation of the warrant.
He said the information was based on guidance from the PNP Legal Service, adding that no direct instruction had been given for the police to proceed with an arrest.
The National Central Bureau serves as Interpol’s local channel in the Philippines, while the Philippine Center for Transnational Crime acts as the country’s liaison office.
Despite the absence of coordination, Tuaño said the PNP remains prepared to act once the proper process is triggered through the relevant agencies.
He said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group would be assigned to carry out any enforcement of the warrant once all legal requirements are met.
Tuaño also stressed that the police were not deferring responsibility to other agencies, saying, “We are not leaving it up to another agency to arrest Senator Bato dela Rosa.”