PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Oscar Albayalde said on Monday, July 1, that they will abide by any order that will be issued by President Rodrigo Duterte to arrest those who will file an impeachment complaint against him.
"Well, of course kung ipag-utos ng Presidente at may makita naman tayong violations of the law, why not?" Albayalde said during a press briefing in Camp Crame.
He assured, however, that an investigation will be conducted before they will make any arrest.
"There should always be an investigation. Hindi naman basta-basta puwedeng kunin mo na lang 'yung tao. There should always be an investigation before you make an arrest," he said.
“Kasi ‘yung pag-impeach sa kanya, it’s not covered by the law, but violations, depende kung meron, either sedition or libel. Depende kung anong makita natin na violation ng batas,” he added.
As of Monday, July 1, 2019, Albayalde said they have not received any such ordere from Duterte.
On Thursday, Duterte threatened those who are planning to file impeachement charges against him that he will put them in jail.
"I-impeach ako? Kulungin ko silang lahat. Subukan ninyo," Duterte had said.
"I-impeach mo ako? I-deliver ko kayo sa Beijing lahat. You want me not only to violate the Constitution. How can I protect the resources when there's nobody to eat it?" he added.
He made the statement after former and current government officials warned that allowing Chinese fishermen to fish within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) is unconstitutional and an impeachable offense.
Duterte has been widely criticized for his refusal to defend the Philippines' sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea, which is also being claimed by China. (SunStar Philippines)