Former President Rodrigo Duterte testifies. FILE PHOTO

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said they are “fully prepared for any eventuality” should the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) request assistance in arresting former President Rodrigo Duterte incase the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant.

PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo, in a press briefing at Camp Crame in Quezon City, said as member of Interpol, the PNP is duty-bound to cooperate with the international organization.

“Dadaan tayo sa proseso. Kung meron pong hihingin po na tulong ‘yong ating Interpol…the PNP has a legal obligation to reciprocate ‘yong courtesy na ibinibigay po sa atin ng Interpol,” Fajardo said.

“We are fully prepared for any eventualities po in case po na merong tulong na hihingin sa atin ang Interpol po,” she added.

Fajardo said  the PNP is monitoring developments regarding the alleged ICC warrant but has no confirmed information on the matter.

Likewise,  Fajardo explained that the the recent mobilization of thousands of police officers in Davao is unrelated to the alleged ICC warrant.

She said the deployment is part of a simulation exercise for election security preparations, which is also being conducted in other regions.

“Probably, they just misinterpreted some of the movements in other regions na meron pong mga ongoing simulation exercise relating po sa ating preparation for the national and local elections,” Fajardo said.

(Probably, they just misinterpreted some of the movements in other regions that are conducting ongoing simulation exercises related to our preparation for the national and local elections.)

Speculation is mounting that the ICC has already issued the warrant, as Duterte faces a crime against humanity charge over his violent anti-narcotics campaign as President and extrajudicial killings in Davao City during his tenure as mayor.

Duterte, who left for Hong Kong on Friday, said in a thanksgiving event of overseas Filipino workers in the Wan Chai district on Sunday that he had learned about the supposed release of an ICC arrest warrant for him.