Palace: No communication on Interpol red notice on Duterte

Malacañang said Monday that it has not received any information regarding the alleged Interpol Red Notice against former President Rodrigo Duterte.

''Wala pa po tayong natatanggap na anumang communication patungkol sa red notice,'' Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said during a press briefing.

[We have not received any communication with regards to (Interpol) red notice.]

The International Criminal Court (ICC) Office of the Prosecutor has refused to comment on the alleged warrant of arrest against the former Philippine leader.

According to Castro, there is no communication from the ICC as regards the matter.

''As of the moment po, wala pa po tayong nakukuhang communication, official communication... at kung mayroon na po tayong official copy, ipapakita po namin agad sa inyo,'' she said.

(As of the moment, we have not received any communication, any official communication... and if we already have the official copy, we will show it to you.)

Still, Castro maintained that the Philippine government is ready to respond to any request, which will be made by the Interpol.

''Handa naman po ang law enforcement agencies natin kung ano po ang sinasabi ng batas, kung kinakailangan po na i-serve 'yung warrant of arrest because of the request of Interpol, ano't-ano man po ang mangyayari basta legal, gagawin po 'yan ng pamahalaan,'' Castro said.

(Our law enforcement agencies are ready to implement what is stated under the law, if we need to serve the warrant of arrest as per request of the Interpol, we will do it as long as it is legal.)

The Palace official said that if the former president would be arrested, this would be done in accordance with law, adding that this should be done in a peaceful manner. She also urged Duterte's supporters to follow the law.

''Opo, pipigilan po nating magkagulo, ang gagawin lamang po talaga natin ay kung ano ang naaayon sa batas,'' Castro said. '''Yung mga tao, taumbayan, kung sino man 'yung mga supporters, makinig na lamang po kayo kung ano 'yung sinasabi ng batas.''

(Yes, we will prevent any hostilities and we will just do what's stated in the law. The supporters should also listen to what is being indicated under the law.

Duterte had maintained that his actions as president were aimed at ensuring peace and order in the country.

Malacañang has ensured readiness on any eventuality in relation to the alleged warrant of arrest against Duterte.

Castro said the government does not think that Duterte would be ''evading the law.''

This was her response when asked how the Marcos administration is preparing should the former president ''flee.''

''So, maybe I could not answer [that] as of the moment. It’s kind of hypothetical. We cannot conclude that there is this propensity on the part of former President Duterte that he would escape considering he was the one who asked for this. Bakit? Sinabi niya sa Quad Comm hearing, handa siyang harapin ang ICC, (Why? He said during the Quad Comm heading that he is ready to face the ICC)'' she said.— RSJ/AOL, GMA Integrated News