
MANILA, Philippines — "We'll deal with that issue when we reach it."
Gen. Nicolas Torre III, the newly appointed head of the Philippine National Police, addressed queries about potential actions should the ICC proceed with arresting Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa by stating that they have strategies ready.
“ However, clearly, we are also establishing backup plans should such an event occur, detailing exactly how we would respond," Torre stated during a press conference following his assumption of command at the Philippine National Police (PNP) in a ceremony held at Camp Crame on Monday.
“ It isn’t quite appropriate to talk about it right now. This is definitely something that needs action only when it arises. We will decide things as they come along."
Torre served as the ground commander for the police unit that apprehended ex-President Rodrigo Duterte and handed him over to the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands back in March.
The ex-President is alleged to have committed crimes against humanity due to the roughly thousands of fatalities during his administration’s anti-drug campaign.
READ: Is Bato dela Rosa, Oscar Albayalde next on the ICC arrest list?
The ICC assistant counselor Kristina Conti formerly mentioned that ex-PNP leaders Dela Rosa and Oscar Albayalde might be the subsequent individuals to face warrants from the ICC due to their involvement in President Duterte’s aggressive war against illegal drugs.
Dela Rosa served as Duterte’s initial PNP chief from 2016 to 2018 and was frequently referred to as the "mastermind" behind the former president's anti-drug campaign.
Dela Rosa was followed by Albayalde who served from 2018 to 2019.
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