MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it is prepared to support police operations related to efforts to locate and arrest Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who is subject to an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla said the military remains committed to acting only on lawful orders if assistance is formally requested.

“So, tayo po sa (we at the) AFP, we remain grounded in law and lawful orders. So, in the event that we are required to augment or assist, dyan po tayo magbibigay ng ating serbisyo (that is when we will provide assistance),” she said.

When asked whether the AFP has already been tapped to help in the operation, Padilla declined to provide details.

“These are all operational details po that hindi na po natin madi-divulge (that we cannot divulge),” she said.

She clarified that law enforcement operations remain primarily the responsibility of the Philippine National Police and other agencies.

“We would like to emphasize na ito pong ganitong operasyon ang (that for these types of operations), (the) frontliners are law enforcement agencies,” she said.

AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad separately said the military is ready to support police operations when necessary.

“The AFP, when required and called upon to do it, will always support law enforcement operations,” he said.

Dela Rosa, who served as PNP chief from 2016 to 2018, was reportedly under Senate protective custody before leaving the Senate premises at about 2:30 a.m. on May 14. He is facing charges of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte is currently detained at The Hague, with his trial scheduled for November.