MANILA, Philippines – Even the camp of former president Rodrigo Duterte is monitoring the Interpol for a possible Red Notice alert against him, sending legal and political circles abuzz and even activating the police.
The Philippines is no longer a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), which is why President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has always claimed that the country cannot enforce an ICC warrant. But his cabinet members have provided a way: via the Interpol.
The Philippines is an Interpol member country. If and when the ICC requests the Interpol to put out a Red Notice, which it had done so in the past, its 196 member countries would be alerted that someone is wanted. It would still be local law enforcement which would implement the warrant. The Marcos government said it is prepared to do so.
This sounds like a straightforward process, but it may not be. Even the Philippine National Police (PNP) is unsure, at this point, what the exact process will be. Historically speaking, we can look at the recent arrest in Italy of the Libyan police chief Osama Almasri Najim, who is wanted by the ICC. The Switzerland-based justice outlet JusticeInfo.net reported that ICC requested an Interpol Red Notice on Najim. But instead of being turned over to the ICC in The Hague, Najim was repatriated to Libya in a highly politicized decision that pitted Italian politicians against each other.
Rappler senior multimedia reporter Lian Buan explains the complexities and the would-be process of Duterte’s arrest – in case the ICC does issue a warrant for his arrest. – Rappler.com
Reporter: Lian Buan
Producer, video editor: JC Gotinga
Supervising producer: Beth Frondoso