Phl won't stop drug war arrests by Interpol – DOJ

The Philippine government cannot stop the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) from serving arrest warrants that the International Criminal Court (ICC) may issue against former president Rodrigo Duterte and several others for the killing of thousands of suspects during his bloody war on drugs, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said yesterday.

- DAPHNE GALVEZ

At a media forum, Remulla said that while the Philippines is no longer a member of the ICC, it is still part of the Interpol, to which it has obligations.

He noted that the ICC and the Interpol are “used to working together” and the international tribunal could bring in the Interpol to enforce arrest warrants.

“We are not in the business of blocking any movement of the Interpol, unless a policy is laid out, which of course will go against our international commitments. Kaya hindi natin ginagawa yun (That’s why we don’t do it),” he said.

Citing the principle of comity, Remulla said the Philippine government will not obstruct anything as long as it does not violate the country’s laws.