DOJ: No notice on ICC warrant of arrest vs. Duterte

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has not received any notice regarding a warrant of arrest from the International Criminal Court issued against former President Rodrigo Duterte, Justice spokesperson Mico Clavano said on Monday.

Clavano said the government would be ready if the warrant was issued.

“As of today, wala pa po tayong nare-receive na notice of any warrant that has been issued by the ICC,” Clavano told reporters.

(As of today, we have not received any notice of any warrant that the ICC has issued.)

“Kaya po sinasabi lang oh natin that the government is ready kung sakaling magkaroon po ng warrant of arrest galing sa ICC,” he added.

(That’s why we’re saying that the government is ready in case there will be a warrant of arrest from the ICC.)

Clavano also said no subpoena or warrant was issued by a local court or the DOJ against Duterte.

He issued the clarification amid reports that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued an arrest warrant against Duterte over its investigation into his administration’s drug war.

Malacañang has said it was ready for any eventuality.

The ICC Office of the Prosecutor has opted to refrain from commenting on the issue, saying it did not comment on ongoing investigations. It added that confidentiality is also a crucial part of its work.

Clavano said it would be the National Central Bureau that would handle concerns from the  International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

He said this is composed of the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Immigration.

“We have to see if all the documents, supporting documents, are ready, and that the Interpol request is a valid request. And that is the only time that it will be given due course and on that basis, gagalaw na po ang mga ahensya (the agencies will then take action),” he said. –NB, GMA Integrated News