The Philippine National Police (PNP) expressed its readiness to assist Interpol if the organization issues a red notice against former President Rodrigo Duterte in connection with potential charges of crimes against humanity.
"So when the time comes na i-seek ang ating assistance, then the PNP is ready to provide the necessary assistance," PNP Spokesperson PBGen. Jean Fajardo said during a press briefing at Camp Crame on Thursday.
This assurance was made by Fajardo after Duterte challenged the International Criminal Court (ICC) to prosecute him for alleged crimes against humanity linked to his Administration's war on drugs.
Fajardo stated that this mechanism is already in place for coordination among countries connected to Interpol, similar to the assistance requested by the Philippines to apprehend dismissed Bamban, Tarlac Mayor Alice Guo in Indonesia.
However, Fajardo clarified that their assistance to Interpol should not be considered a special case, even though it was the former President himself who expressed his readiness to face the ICC.
"Hindi ito special case. Like I said earlier, this is a normal cooperation between and among international police organization," said Fajardo.
The PNP previously expressed its willingness to coordinate with the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the task force it has formed to investigate cases of extrajudicial killings related to the "war on drugs."
According to official government records, more than 6,000 individuals lost their lives in the previous Administration's drug war. However, several human rights groups claim that over 3,000 were killed.
