Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang said the government is ready to coordinate with the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) if new arrest warrants are issued in connection with the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation on killings linked to the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign.
Palace press officer Claire Castro said authorities would extend the same level of cooperation provided when an earlier warrant was implemented, stressing that any action would follow existing laws and legal processes.
“Kung ito naman ay legal process na nanggagaling po sa ICC, hindi naman po natin ito maaaring pakialaman… ang ginagawa ng pamahalaang ito ay dumadaan lahat sa proseso,” Castro said during a Palace briefing on Monday, Feb. 16.
[Translation: If this is a legal process coming from the ICC, we cannot interfere with it… this government ensures that everything goes through proper procedure.]
The ICC Office of the Prosecutor named a number of sitting and former officials, including Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Christopher “Bong” Go, as alleged co-perpetrators in crimes against humanity for murder tied to the anti-drug campaign.
In a Feb. 13 court document, ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang listed eight officials who were allegedly involved alongside detained former president Rodrigo Duterte in what prosecutors described as a “common plan” to neutralize suspected criminals through violent acts, including murder.
The others were were former Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II; former police official Vicente Danao; former Philippine National Police chief Oscar Albayalde; the late police general Camilo Cascolan; former National Bureau of Investigation director Dante Gierran; and former Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Isidro Lapeña.
Prosecutors said the group exercised authority over law enforcement structures and individuals who carried out killings during Duterte’s mayoral and presidential stints.
Asked whether arrest warrants could be enforced through Interpol even without passing through local courts, Castro said coordination with international police mechanisms had precedent, adding that Philippine authorities would still follow domestic law.
“Nagawa na po before at ang sinunod po ay ang batas na umiiral sa ating bansa at nakipag-coordinate po ang ating pamahalaan sa Interpol,” she said.
[Translation: It has been done before, and what was followed was the law in force in our country, with the government coordinating with Interpol.]
She added that authorities are obligated to act once warrants are issued.
“Kapag may warrant of arrest na naisyu na po, kailangang i-implement,” Castro said.
[Translation: Once a warrant of arrest is issued, it must be implemented.]
The Palace also urged supporters of officials linked to the ICC case to remain calm and allow the legal process to unfold, rejecting suggestions that enforcing a warrant would lead to unrest.
She said judicial proceedings could deliver justice both to alleged victims of extrajudicial killings and to those accused, who would have the opportunity to defend themselves in court.
Castro also advised officials reportedly avoiding public appearances to face the process if they believe they are innocent.
“Hindi po kinakailangang magtago kung alam po nila na sila ay walang kasalanan,” she said.
[Translation: There is no need to hide if they know they are innocent.]
The list of co-perpetrators was released ahead of the confirmation of charges hearing on Friday, Feb. 23 for Duterte, who is detained at the ICC facility in The Hague. The former president faces three counts of crimes against humanity over his bloody war on drugs campaign.
