The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it will observe due process and follow established operational procedures in serving the arrest warrant against Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. issued the statement after Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida directed the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to enforce the arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Dela Rosa.
The Supreme Court had earlier denied Dela Rosa’s petition for a temporary restraining order seeking to stop the implementation of the ICC warrant.
Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief, has been named as one of the alleged co-conspirators of former President Rodrigo Duterte in the crimes against humanity case pending before the ICC in connection with the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign.
“The Philippine National Police takes note of the directive issued by the Department of Justice directing the Philippine National Police and the National Bureau of Investigation to effect the warrant of arrest against Senator Ronald ‘Bato’ Dela Rosa,” Nartatez said.
He said the PNP respects the processes of the justice system and recognizes the authority of competent government agencies in implementing lawful orders.
“As a law enforcement agency, the PNP shall perform its mandate in accordance with existing laws, due process, and established operational procedures,” Nartatez said.
The PNP chief assured the public that all police actions related to the matter would remain impartial, professional, and within the bounds of law, with full respect for the constitutional rights of all parties concerned.
Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla, when asked about the DOJ directive, said authorities would follow the lead of the Justice secretary.
“We shall follow the lead of the SOJ,” Remulla said.
Asked how many police personnel had been assigned to arrest Dela Rosa, Remulla replied: “It’s 225,000. That’s the entire PNP.”
PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño declined to comment on Dela Rosa’s possible whereabouts after the senator left the Senate premises last Thursday morning.
Tuaño said the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group is among the units tasked to assist in enforcing the warrant.
He added that the police organization has enough personnel to serve arrest warrants against wanted persons, regardless of their status or position.