The Philippine National Police (PNP) said Monday, March 10, that it does not have a “verifiable information” yet as to the reported issuance by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of a warrant of arrest against former president Rodrigo Duterte.

“As of now, we have no verifiable information as to the reported warrant issued by the ICC,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

However, Fajardo said the PNP is obligated to assist the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) in finding the whereabouts of the former president in case a warrant against him is issued.

“On the part of the PNP, we will follow the process. If the Interpol asks for assistance through its National Central Bureau, the PNP has a legal obligation to reciprocate the courtesy that is being accorded to us by the Interpol,” she said.

"If ever a foreign jurisdiction issues an arrest order or summons, since the foreign jursidiction has no enforcement mechanism in other countries, they have to course through their request to the Interpol. The Interpol will issue either a blue notice or red notice, an international alert, to their National Central Bureau, which will then send an alert to law enforcement agencies including the PNP, advising us that this particular person is being sought for investigation or has an arrest order," she explained.

The PNP also refuted the claims of former Palace spokesperson Harry Roque that it was the police organization which issued an arrest warrant against Duterte for incitement to sedition.

The charge was filed by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Maj. Gen. Nicholas Torre last month after Duterte quipped about the killing of incumbent senators so that the senatorial candidates he is backing would have a chance to win in the upcoming May elections.

“We don’t have any warrant of arrest issued by the local courts against the former president,” Fajardo said.

Troop mobilization

The PNP also clarified that the troop mobilization being conducted by the Davao City Police is part of an “exercise” for the upcoming May 12 elections, not a preparation for the arrest of Duterte.

Reports surfaced that around 7,000 cops were deployed in Davao to arrest Duterte, who was reported to be in Hong Kong for a thanksgiving event with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

“We have talked to our people in Davao and according to them, the movement of the police there is part of a simulation exercise related to their security preparation for [the elections] in Davao,” Fajardo said.

The troop mobilization, according to the PNP spokesperson, is not limited to Davao but in other regions that were also having simulation and communication exercises as part of security preparations.

“This has nothing to do with the issues relating to the alleged issuance of a warrant of arrest by the ICC,” Fajardo noted.

Rumors circulated that the ICC has issued an arrest warrant against Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity.

The ICC is investigating Duterte and other government officials for the alleged extrajudicial killings and human rights violations committed during his administration’s “drug war”, led by former PNP chief and now Senator Ronald Dela Rosa.

According to government estimates, around 6,000 drug suspects were killed in the bloody campaign against illegal drugs but human rights groups estimate that the number could reach 30,000 including those killed by vigilantes.