PNP Chief Plt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. – Photo courtesy of the Office of the Chief PNP/Facebook.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has reminded its personnel to remain politically neutral and responsible in their social media activity amid heightened public discussion on the International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against Senator Ronald dela Rosa.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Nartatez said officers must ensure that online expression does not erode public trust in the institution, stressing professionalism as debates on the ICC issue continue.
He added that police personnel are expected to maintain neutrality in both online and public settings, especially as the matter draws wider attention.
Nartatez also reiterated that existing internal regulations bar officers from engaging in partisan political activity.
The ICC earlier confirmed that it had issued a warrant for dela Rosa in connection with its investigation into the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Dela Rosa served as Philippine National Police chief from 2016 to 2018 under former President Rodrigo Duterte, whose administration’s drug war has been the subject of the ICC probe.
In 2025, Duterte was taken into custody by local authorities and transferred to The Hague, Netherlands, where he is facing charges of crimes against humanity before the international tribunal.
The reminder came after a police officer was previously dismissed for social media posts linked to the ICC issue, underscoring enforcement of rules despite claims of free expression.