HIGH-RANKING police officials trooped to Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, amid reports of possible arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte.
Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rommel Marbil and Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director Major General Nicolas Torre were among those who waited for the arrival of Duterte from Hong Kong.
Torre said they were also with officials from the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).
He has yet to confirm if there is an existing arrest warrant against Duterte.
The PNP earlier denied having an arrest warrant against Duterte.
Duterte is facing an investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the “massive killings” during his drug war from November 1, 2011, when he served as mayor of Davao City, to March 16, 2019, when he ordered the withdrawal of the Philippines’ membership from the Rome Statute, which established the ICC.
Over 6,000 alleged drug personalities were killed during Duterte’s drug war from 2016 to 2022.
The families of the alleged victims of extra-judicial killings participated in the ICC investigation.
Former chief PNP now Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was also identified as the principal respondent of the case along with Duterte.
Duterte earlier reiterated that he is taking full responsibility for the killings committed by the police under the drug war.
He maintained that he did what he did in order to protect the country and the Filipinos. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)