Palace: No communication on Interpol red notice yet for others in Duterte ICC case

Malacañang has not received any official communication about any Interpol red notice for the “co-perpetrators” of former President Rodrigo Duterte in connection with the killings during his administration’s bloody war on drugs. 

''Wala pa kaming natatanggap na... so far ha, wala pa kaming any communication, official communication,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro told reporters. 

The International Criminal Court (ICC) may issue more arrest warrants for the “co-perpetrators” of Duterte, the lawyer of the families of the victims earlier said.

Lawyer Joel Butuyan, who is in the ICC’s List of Counsel, said Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa may be one of those facing arrest. 

Dela Rosa served as the first Philippine National Police chief during Duterte's term.

Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV, one of the individuals who filed a case against Duterte before the ICC, said the additional warrant of arrest may only cover Dela Rosa.

Bato, Albayalde

In an interview with Super Radyo dzBB, ICC Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti said the international court has been scrutinizing the roles of both Dela Rosa and another former PNP chief, Oscar Albayalde, in the controversial anti-drug campaign, and that arrest warrants could be issued against them as well.

“Napaka-confident ko pero may tatlong pangalan na binanggit sa dokumento ng ICC. Noon pa man na sinisilip nila na responsable—Duterte, Bato Dela Rosa, at Oscar Albayalde,” she said.

(I am very confident, but three names were mentioned in the ICC document. Even before, they have been looking into their responsibility—Duterte, Bato Dela Rosa, and Oscar Albayalde.)

She also revealed that additional police officials are being examined in connection with alleged human rights violations during the drug war, although their involvement remains unofficial at this stage.

“May dagdag na tatlong kapulisan na diumano, parang sangkot din, pero unofficial pa ang documents patungkol sa kanila,” she added, suggesting that more evidence could emerge linking them to the crimes under investigation.

(Three additional police officers are allegedly also involved, but the documents regarding them are still unofficial.) 

According to Conti, the ICC’s inquiry does not necessarily focus on a single person but rather on those who bear the “greatest responsibility” for the alleged crimes.

“E may mauungkat pa na dagdag ebidensya o impormasyon tungkol sa participation ni Bato, Oscar Albayalde, at launan kung madadagdagan pa 'yan. Kaya sabi namin, sorry sa mga grammar Nazi, pag sinabing ‘most responsible’ or ‘persons who bear the greatest responsibility,’ pwedeng maraming tao ‘yan,” she added. 

(More evidence or information regarding Bato or Albayalde's participation could soon be added. So we say, and sorry to the grammar Nazis, when you say 'most responsible' or 'persons who bear the greatest responsibility,' you could be referring to a lot of people.)

The ICC has been conducting an investigation into alleged crimes against humanity committed during Duterte’s war on drugs. On Tuesday morning, Duterte was arrested upon being served a warrant of arrest from the ICC.

He is currently on the way to The Hague.

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. told Duterte's supporters that the government was just doing its job when authorities arrested his predecessor. — with Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News