Former senator Antonio Trillanes IV on Wednesday, July 31, named the five former and incumbent Philippine National Police (PNP) officials who were reportedly issued 'blue notice' by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) for alleged involvement in the reported killings during the past illegal drugs operations.
Trillanes identified them as former PNP chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, now a senator; former PNP chief Oscar Albayalde; PNP Northern Luzon commander Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat; PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) Chief Brig. Gen. Eleazar Mata, and National Police Commission (NaPolCom) Commissioner retired police Col. Edilberto Leonardo.
Trillanes explained that a 'blue notice' issued by Interpol on behalf of the International Criminal Court (ICC) is equivalent to summons for investigation on the alleged involvement in the killings during the illegal drugs operations of the administration of then President Rodrigo R. Duterte.
A "blue notice" is issued by Interpol to enable it "to collect additional information about a person’s identity, location or activities in relation to a criminal investigation."
Trillanes claimed that a 'blue notice' was issued at the time the ICC prosecutor asked the Philippine government to facilitate the interview of the former and incumbent PNP officials.
The ICC request was confirmed by Solicitor General Menardo I. Guevarra who said the Philippine government is not obligated to assist but it will not stop the investigation.
“Kasabay nitong pagbigay ng dokumento na ito sa Philippine government ng ICC ay meron din silang request sa Interpol na isama itong limang ito doon sa blue notice kung saan maaari silang i-hold sa mga iba’t ibang immigration counters kung saan man silang bansa lalabas (When the request was made with the Philippine government, the ICC also asked the Interpol to issue a blue notice against the five who will be held in immigration counters in whatever country they will be),” Trillanes said.
“Kung di sila magcocooperate, therefore, ‘yung ebidensya laban sa kanila ay yun ang mananaig at hindi nila mabibigay ‘yung kanilang side doon sa kaso (If these persons won’t cooperate, the evidence against them will prevail and they won’t be given the chance to air their side in the allegations),” he pointed out.
“‘Pag ganun, malamang na malamang ay masasama sila sa warrant of arrest as we speak (If that happens, they will likely ba included in the arrest warrants that the ICC will issue),” he stressed.