THE Philippine National Police (PNP) confirmed on Tuesday that it is fully prepared to carry out any arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, but emphasized that such action will only proceed through proper legal channels.
PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño stated that clear instructions have been relayed by Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla to the PNP Chief: enforcement will only happen once the warrant is officially confirmed, transmitted via Interpol, and accompanied by a valid local court order.
“This should be passed through Interpol and through the National Central Bureau in Manila or the Philippine Center on Transnational Crime and if there is a court order. The PNP is ready to implement it,” Tuaño explained in an interview, stressing that this protocol was finalized during an emergency command conference held last Sunday. The statement came after Remulla earlier disclosed that a 10,000‑strong task force has been placed on standby, ready to be deployed should the legal requirements be satisfied and the order for arrest be formally issued.
The clarification is significant amid the heightened tensions surrounding Dela Rosa, who remains inside the Senate complex under tight security and with supporters gathered outside. While authorities acknowledge the existence of reports and claims regarding the ICC process, the PNP underscored that it cannot act merely on rumors or unconfirmed documents. For the police, enforcement is strictly bound by domestic laws and established international cooperation mechanisms, ensuring that any move against the senator follows due process and recognized legal procedures.
This position draws a clear line between political statements and actual law enforcement action. Even as pressure mounts from various quarters — including calls from former Senator Antonio Trillanes for immediate arrest — the PNP maintains it will remain neutral and strictly adhere to legal mandates. For now, the force remains on alert but restrained, waiting for the official transmission and validation that alone will trigger the next phase of operation.
