PNP tells cops: Avoid political posts amid ICC warrant vs. Bato Dela Rosa

The Philippine National Police on Wednesday reminded its personnel to refrain from posting political content online amid tensions surrounding the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against former police chief and Senator Ronald dela Rosa.

In a statement, PNP chief Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police officers must remain professional and politically neutral.

“There are existing regulations that prohibit police officers from engaging in partisan political activity or making statements that may compromise the integrity and neutrality of the organization,” Nartatez said.

According to Nartatez, some police officers with personal social media accounts and vlog platforms have drawn attention for posting political content and commentary.

“Police officers who maintain vlogs or online platforms are reminded to avoid political commentary that could create perceptions of bias or partiality. We encourage responsible use of social media," he said

"Any content that violates PNP ethical standards or operational security policies will be subject to review,” Nartatez added.

Nartatez also cautioned police officers who maintain vlogs and online platforms to remain professional and steer clear of inflammatory political content.

“Our reminder to so-called ‘vlogger cops’ is simple: uphold professionalism, avoid inflammatory statements, and do not use your position to influence political discourse,” he said.

The ICC on Monday confirmed that it had issued an arrest warrant against Dela Rosa, the first PNP chief of former President Rodrigo Duterte, in connection with killings linked to the administration’s war on drugs.

On March 11 last year, Duterte was flown from the Philippines to The Hague following the issuance of an ICC arrest warrant against him.

Currently under Senate protective custody, Dela Rosa said on Tuesday that his camp would exhaust all legal remedies to prevent his arrest.

He said his camp had filed a new manifestation before the Supreme Court seeking immediate judicial protection and that he would await the tribunal’s decision.

Dela Rosa also recently sought support from police officers and soldiers in case President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. denies his appeal to stop his transfer to the ICC in The Hague, Netherlands.

PNP spokesperson Randulf Tuaño earlier said the police force remains “professional and apolitical.”

“Nananatili tayo, sinasabi nga ni Chief PNP, na ang Philippine National Police ay isang propesyonal at apolitical na organization. Hinding-hindi kami makikisali sa anumang usaping pampolitika,” he said.

(We maintain, as the Chief PNP says, that the Philippine National Police is a professional and apolitical organization. We will never get involved in any political matter.)—MCG, GMA News