Former president Rodrigo Duterte. FILE PHOTO

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration is ready to provide assistance incase speculations that the International Criminal Court (ICC) has allegedly issued a warrant of arrest against former President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacanang said.

“The government is prepared for any eventuality,” Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Ad Interim Secretary Jay Ruiz said in a statement.

“We’ve heard that an arrest warrant has been issued by the International Criminal Court against former President Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity,” he added.

Earlier, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin and Secretary of Justice said before, if Interpol will ask the necessary assistance from the government, it will provide,” she said.

Meanwhile, Press Officer Undersecretary Atty. Claire Castro said there is no confirmation yet from the Malacanang on the issuance of the arrest warrant.

Former presidential chief legal counsel Salvador Panelo denied allegations that the former President is trying to escape while out of the country.

“Fake news. FPRRD and VP Sara are here to speak before a gathering of OFWs to express their thanks for their continued support,” Panelo said.

Asked when the father and daughter will return to Manila, Panelo said, “very soon.”

The ICC has been investigating Rodrigo Duterte and other top officials of his administration for crimes against humanity over the alleged systematic drug war deaths in police operations.

These deaths reached around 6,000 based on police records, but human rights groups contend that the deaths were as much as 30,000, including vigilante killings.

The Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC, in 2019 after The Hague-based tribunal began a probe into the Duterte administration’s drug war.

In January this year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) expressed openness to engage with the ICC over its investigation into Duterte’s drug war.

Bersamin maintained that the Philippines has not changed its position as regards the ICC and the country’s withdrawal from it. However, if the ICC courses its requests through the Interpol, he said the government will certainly respond to it.