PNP Ready to Assist Interpol in Arresting Duterte
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MARCH 16,2025
MANILA, Philippines — PNP is ready to work with Interpol to arrest individuals linked to former President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war if official warrants are issued.
After Duterte’s recent arrest, the PNP has a structured approach for handling future arrests of suspects involved in extrajudicial killings, according to PNP Spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo.
PNP Prepares for More Arrests in Duterte Drug War Case
“There are others facing charges besides the former president. With Duterte arrested, we now have a working template for handling these cases,” Fajardo said in an interview with DZBB on Sunday, March 16.
She added that if Interpol requests assistance, the PNP will act while following Philippine law.
“If Interpol seeks our help again, the PNP is ready to assist and implement the warrant under our legal framework,” she said.
PNP Confirms No Additional Arrest Warrants for Duterte Allies Yet
Fajardo clarified that authorities have not issued new arrest warrants against Duterte’s allies or officials involved in the ICC case.
“As of now, we have no information on any new warrants against other officials or individuals under ICC investigation,” she confirmed.
Duterte’s Arrest Sparks Speculation on Future Arrests
Authorities arrested Duterte on March 11 when he arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport from Hong Kong. Prosecutor General Richard Fadullon served the warrant. PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Chief Nicholas Torre III read Duterte his Miranda rights.
On March 14 (Manila time), Duterte appeared before the ICC’s pre-trial chamber, where he faced charges of crimes against humanity. The case cites his alleged involvement in at least 43 killings, including those linked to the Davao Death Squad and police operations during his presidency.
The ICC Investigation and Key Suspects
Last year, former Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, one of the complainants in the ICC case, revealed that the tribunal identified former high-ranking PNP officials as suspects. Among them is Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, Duterte’s former police chief and the key figure in the drug war.
RELATED STORY: Duterte War on Drugs: Rodrigo Duterte’s Final Words ‘So Be It’
The ICC is investigating killings in the Philippines from November 1, 2011, to March 16, 2019. Government records place the death toll at 6,000. However, human rights groups claim the actual number could be as high as 30,000, mostly small-time drug suspects.
What This Means for the Philippines
Duterte’s arrest pressures Philippine authorities to cooperate with international agencies in holding those responsible for human rights violations accountable. The PNP’s willingness to assist Interpol signals a shift in the country’s approach to justice and global cooperation.
As the ICC proceedings continue, the world watches to see if more names will be added to the list of individuals facing legal action for killings during Duterte’s war on drugs.
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