DOJ may comply with Interpol on ICC warrant for Duterte’s drug war

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Thursday said it may continue to “comply” with its “obligations” to the International Police Criminal Organization (Interpol) should the International Criminal Court (ICC) issue another arrest warrant related to the crimes against humanity allegedly committed during the war against drugs.

DOJ spokesperson Mico Clavano made the pronouncement when asked if the DOJ would continue to cooperate with the Interpol, specifically in enforcing future arrest warrants issued by the ICC.

“Well, as the Secretary of Justice has always said, we will have to comply with our obligations to Interpol and other international obligations,” said Clavano in a chance interview with Palace reporters.

However, Clavano admitted that it might still be “too premature” to ascertain whether the DOJ would do so.

“Pero nakita naman natin ang direksyon ng ating gobyerno dito sa dating Pangulong Duterte,” he explained.

*But we saw the direction of our government with former President Duterte.)

This came after Duterte, who is now in the custody of the ICC in The Hague, was arrested for crimes against humanity allegedly committed during his administration’s bloody war against drugs.

The drug war left at least 6,000 people dead, with human rights groups reporting at least 20,000.

READ: ICC cites reasonable grounds in issuing arrest order for Duterte

While no new arrest warrant has since surfaced after Duterte’s arrest, one notable personality currently under scrutiny is Senator Bato dela Rosa, who was previously named as Duterte’s co-accused.

READ: Rodrigo Duterte accepts responsibility for drug war as ICC detains him

Dela Rosa, who served as Duterte’s first top cop during his administration, was allegedly the chief implementer of the previous administration’s brutal drug war.

READ: Bato dela Rosa: I can defend myself at ICC even if I’m not a lawyer

The senator was the one who issued Command Memorandum Circular 16-2016 when he assumed power as police chief, which then served as the basis for Project Double Barrel that started Duterte’s war on drugs.