The Philippine National Police said (PNP) it was preparing for the possible issuance of additional arrest warrants from the International Criminal Court involving local officials.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police force remained committed to enforcing lawful orders and upholding the rule of law as it monitored developments on potential ICC actions.
He said the PNP was on alert and coordinating with other law enforcement agencies in anticipation of possible warrants that may be issued in the coming period.
Nartatez added that discussions had been taking place within law enforcement circles on how to handle existing and potential ICC-related warrants involving certain public officials.
Among those linked to ICC proceedings is Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, former PNP chief under the Duterte administration.
Dela Rosa has been associated with the ICC investigation into alleged human rights violations tied to the previous government’s anti-drug campaign, which human rights groups said resulted in thousands of deaths.
The Department of Justice earlier directed the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation to enforce an ICC warrant against dela Rosa after the Supreme Court declined to stop its implementation, while Malacañang said future ICC warrants would be enforced immediately.
The PNP said it continued coordination with other agencies for possible joint operations, stressing that its personnel remained duty-bound to act on lawful orders.