The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Tuesday said it is ready to assist in locating and arresting Sen. Ronald Dela Rosa once requested by higher authorities.
In an interview at Camp Aguinaldo, AFP public affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad said efforts to find Dela Rosa are primarily a law enforcement function.
“The AFP, when required, will always support to law enforcement operations,” said Trinidad
Asked if there is already a request for the AFP to join efforts in arresting Dela Rosa, Trinidad said: “As of now we have not received any request for support.”
Dela Rosa escaped the premises of the Senate last May 14, evading law enforcers who were out to arrest him by virtue of a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Dela Rosa has been named as one of the co-perpetrators of former president Rodrigo Duterte in the crimes against humanity case he is facing before the ICC.
Trinidad nevertheless said the PNP and other law enforcement agencies are “very capable” of performing their mandate of finding and arresting Dela Rosa.
“And the AFP is focused on its particular mandate also,” said Trinidad, referring to the military’s principal duty of protecting the country from internal and external threats.
In a press briefing, AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the “frontliners” in arresting Dela Rosa are law enforcement agencies.
“In the AFP, we remain ground in law and lawful orders,” said Padilla.
“So, in the event that we are required to augment or assist, that will be the time we’re going to extend our service,” said Padilla, referring to the operations against Dela Rosa.