Storm Clouds Gather Over Manila: Police Chief Breaks Silence on ICC Arrest Threat
A tense silence fell over Camp Crame police headquarters as new Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Nicolas Torre III faced reporters. His words were measured but carried the weight of an approaching storm: “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.” He was talking about the possible arrest of Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa—the architect of a drug war that left streets stained with blood and up to 30,000 dead.
Torre knows this path well. Just months ago, he commanded the team that arrested ex-President Rodrigo Duterte, sending him to The Hague to face ICC charges for crimes against humanity. Now, the ICC’s sights are set on Dela Rosa and his successor, Oscar Albayalde.
The Targets: Duterte’s “Drug War Generals”
Bato dela Rosa isn’t just any senator. As Duterte’s first PNP chief (2016-2018), he unleashed Oplan Tokhang—a campaign that began with police “knocking and pleading” but became a bloodbath. Evidence later revealed police planting evidence on victims while Dela Rosa dismissed investigations as “legal harassment.”
Oscar Albayalde took command in 2018. Under him, killings surged. ICC documents name both men as central figures in a system that allegedly executed civilians as state policy.
“There are three names in ICC documents: Duterte, Dela Rosa, Albayalde,” revealed ICC lawyer Kristina Conti. “When Duterte’s trial begins, evidence will expose their roles.”
The Human Toll: By the Numbers
- Official Deaths: 6,252 (Government count, 2016–2022)
- Actual Toll: Up to 30,000 (Human rights groups)
- Children Killed: 54 in the first year
- Police Convictions: Only one in 8 years
Families described bodies dumped in alleys—bound, bullet-riddled, and tagged “drug suspect.”
The Showdown Ahead
The ICC’s probe covers 2011–2019. Though the Philippines quit the court in 2019, it can still prosecute crimes from when it was a member.
Torre admits having “contingency plans” but won’t share details: “We’ll act once it’s there.” His role in Duterte’s arrest raises a chilling question: Will he hand over his own predecessor?
What Happens Next?
- ICC Warrants: Dela Rosa and Albayalde could be targeted within months.
- PNP’s Choice: Obey international law or protect their own?
- Victims’ Wait: Thousands of families demand justice. As one mother said: “They killed my son for 50 pesos. Who answers for that?”
ICC Warning: “Philippine investigations don’t mirror ours. They lack sincerity.”
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