By Junex Doronio & Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — Former Senator Antonio “Sonny” Trillanes IV expects the International Criminal Court (ICC) to issue a warrant of arrest to former President Rodrigo Duterte by June or July this year.

He believes that the Philippines will be “obliged” to hand him over to the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).

Trillanes pointed out this possibility on Wednesday (8 May 2024), citing INTERPOL’s role in the arrest of former Negros Oriental Rep. Arnie Teves in Timor Leste last March.

“We have an international agreement with INTERPOL. We are obliged to comply. Otherwise, we would become a rogue state. When we sought INTERPOL’s help regarding Teves, they acted. Now that they are asking for our assistance, should we not respond?” Trillanes said in an interview on One News’ “Sa Totoo Lang.”

Although the Philippines is no longer an ICC member, it still maintains a cooperation agreement with INTERPOL.

Trillanes stated that once the ICC issues an arrest warrant for Duterte, INTERPOL will issue wanted persons notices to law enforcement agencies worldwide, including the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The former president faces a complaint for alleged “crimes against humanity” in connection to the bloody drug war during his administration, which purportedly claimed thousands of lives.

“When the warrant arrives and INTERPOL issues a red notice to the PNP, the names of those to be issued warrants will be revealed,” the former senator explained.

Trillanes mentioned that the Supreme Court had previously ruled that the ICC has jurisdiction in the country despite the withdrawal from the Rome Statute.

“Even though we are not ICC members, we are members of INTERPOL. We have an international agreement with INTERPOL, and the ICC has a cooperation agreement with INTERPOL, so when they issue a warrant via INTERPOL, we are obligated to follow it,” Trillanes stated in a radio interview.

He further emphasized that failure to abide by the agreement could result in the Philippines being deemed a “rogue state.”

“Based on our gathered information, the warrant of arrest may come out around June or July of this year. These are the same sources that provide me with updates,” he said.

“These sources are very reliable,” the former senator added.

(el Amigo/MNM)