PNP stand on arrest warrant vs Duterte obeys chain of command – SolGen

Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra supports the Philippine National Police (PNP) for saying it won’t carry out an arrest warrant against former president Rodrigo Duterte from the International Criminal Court (ICC). (File photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Solicitor General Menardo Guevarra on Thursday backed the Philippine National Police (PNP) for saying it won’t carry out an arrest warrant against former president Rodrigo Duterte from the International Criminal Court (ICC).

“The PNP’s statement that it will not enforce any warrant that may be issued by the ICC is simply in obedience to the directive of the President who exercises control over the executive department, including the national police,” explained Guevarra.

The Solicitor General further pointed out that the PNP and other law enforcement officers of the country are the only ones authorized to serve arrest warrants within the Philippine territory.

READ: PNP to snub arrest warrant for Duterte if ICC issues one

Over the weekend, ex-presidential spokesperson Harry Roque claimed that Duterte told him about receiving information that he may be arrested at any time in light of the ICC investigation of his administration’s drug war.

According to Roque, when Duterte told him about it, he was not able to sleep.