Vice President Sara Duterte considers filing charges against PNP amid allegations
VICE President Sara Duterte addresses the media to clarify her recent statement regarding a supposed threat, stressing that her words had been taken out of context and misinterpreted. She explained that the comment, which had sparked a firestorm of controversy, was made under circumstances that did not convey her true intent.
Photograph by Analy Labor for the daily tribune @tribunephl_ana
Vice President Sara Duterte is mulling to file charges against the Philippine National Police (PNP) for alleged disobedience, robbery, and kidnapping.
This was Duterte's reaction after the PNP filed complaints for direct assault, disobedience, and coercion against her, Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group head Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica, and other John Does.
"Initially, we are filing charges against them [PNP] as well for disobedience, for robbery, and for kidnapping," Duterte said in a press conference in Zamboanga City.
On face value, Duterte stressed that the she did not see any allegations, saying that "there were only some statements that were covered in the complaint. On face value, do not hold water."
"Pangalawa is 'yung pre-result. I believe pinipilit nalang talaga nila na gawan ng kaso 'yung nga remarks ko," the Vice President added.
Duterte also laughed off the allegations that she violated the anti-terrorism law.
"Natatawa nalang ako sa violations on anti-terrorism law kasi sinusubukan nila to reach sa aking properties and assets, kasi itong violation ng anti-terrorism law ginawa nila ito kay Congressman Arnie Teves. They have a playbook on what you do to a person na kakasuhan mo ng anti-terrorism law," she said.
"They want to cancel a passport. Gusto nila na mag- red notice sa international. So, hindi ka makakagalaw overseas. Gusto nila mag-AMLAC violations. So, ibig sabihin nun ipre-freeze nila 'yung pera mo at 'yung properties mo. Hindi ka magagastos at hindi ka makakapasok sa properties mo. Gusto nila mag-issue ng kaliwa't kanang search warrants," the Vice President added.
"So, ibig sabihin babalik pa rin tayo dun which is clearly oppression and harassment for remarks na pinipilit nila to take it out of logical context."
As a lawyer, Duterte said that she knows what is legal and illegal, what is actionable and what is not actionable.
"Walang active threat kung hindi ako mamatay. Walang mali dun, walang ilegal dun," Duterte said.
"Nilalakasan nyo 'yung security nya [President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.], ibig sabihin ba nun papatayin na ako?" she asked.