MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) is readying a contingency plan in anticipation of a potential International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for Senator Ronald dela Rosa, the former PNP chief who spearheaded former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs.

New PNP chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III, in his first briefing on Monday, June 2, acknowledged the preparations but declined to provide specific details. “We’ll cross the bridge when we get there,” Torre stated, emphasizing that the PNP would make decisions as developments unfold. Torre, who personally arrested former President Duterte last March in compliance with an Interpol red notice, noted that it’s difficult to speculate on future actions. Former ICC Assistant to Counsel Kristina Conti had previously indicated that former PNP chiefs Dela Rosa and Oscar Albayalde could face warrants for their roles in the anti-drug campaign.

Roque challenged to return to face human trafficking case

In the same briefing, Gen. Torre also challenged former presidential spokesman Harry Roque to return to the Philippines and address the qualified human trafficking case filed against him. Roque is currently seeking political asylum in The Hague, Netherlands.

Torre stressed that as a lawyer, Roque understands the need to face charges in court to prove his innocence. “It’s something he has to face. Talking in the streets or joining rallies won’t do,” Torre said, urging Roque to “submit yourself to the jurisdiction of the courts and make your arguments regarding your case.”

An arrest warrant for Roque, Cassandra Li Ong, and 51 others was issued by Judge Rene Reyes of the Angeles Regional Trial Court Branch 118, in connection with alleged human trafficking activities at Lucky South 99, a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO) hub in Porac, Pampanga. Two of Roque’s co-accused have already been arrested by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) tracker teams. Torre highlighted that prosecutors had established probable cause, convincing the court to issue the arrest warrant.

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