PNP: Marbil, Torre prepared for possible charges over Duterte arrest

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said its top officials are ready to face possible charges over the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

This is after Senator Imee Marcos called on the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil and CIDG chief Police Major General Nicolas Torre III, among other officials.

“They are prepared to answer any and all charges before the proper forum,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said in a press briefing.

Fajardo also reiterated that the PNP’s role in Duterte’s arrest was to "extend assistance" in implementing a red diffusion from Interpol.

“We have to reiterate na ang naging papel lang po ng PNP dito sa pagka-aresto po ni dating pangulong Duterte is we just extended assistance to [the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime] who requested na tulungan natin sila para i-implement ang kanilang red diffusion notice,” she said.

(The only role the PNP played in the arrest of former President Duterte was to extend assistance to the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime, which requested that we help them implement their red diffusion notice.)

“They acted within the bounds of law and mandate of their office,” she added.

Marcos on Tuesday presented additional findings from the Senate foreign relations committee’s investigation into Duterte’s arrest.

In her recommendation, she said these PNP officials must be probed by the Ombudsman for various supposed violations:

• Marbil - arbitrary detention; violation of RA 3019 for inducing or persuading General Torre to perform an act in violation of law, rules, and regulations or an offense in connection with the official duties of the latter; grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of public service.

• Torre - two counts of arbitrary detention for Duterte and former Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea; violation of RA 7438 for not allowing Duterte to be visited by Vice President Sara Duterte and for forcing Duterte’s lawyers to leave him; violation of RA 3019 for allowing himself to be induced or persuaded by Gen. Marbil and/or Interior Secretary Remulla to perform an act in violation of law, rules, and regulations or an offense in connection with his official duties, grave misconduct and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of public service.

—VAL, GMA Integrated News