CIDG: Palace fingerprints absent from Duterte sedition complaint

Malacañang had no involvement in the filing of complaints for inciting sedition and unlawful utterances against former President Rodrigo Duterte, PNP-CIDG Chief PMGen. Nicolas Torre III said Tuesday.

In a media interview at Camp Crame, Torre emphasized that the complaints were purely law enforcement matters.

"There was none. I don’t think Malacañang should be involved in this because this is purely law enforcement. The police are law enforcers, and we see a violation of the law," Torre told reporters in Filipino.

On Monday, Torre confirmed that he filed a complaint before the Department of Justice over Duterte’s remarks insinuating the killing of sitting senators to create vacancies for the PDP-Laban senatorial bets during the party’s proclamation rally on 13 February.

Duterte, addressing the crowd, said his slate could secure seats "if 15 sitting senators were killed."

"Let’s kill the senators now to vacate the seats. If we can eliminate 15 senators, we can all get in. Talking of opportunities, the only way to do it is to blow them up," Duterte stated.

Torre reiterated that the police must act when they see a violation of the law.

"So if we see a violation of the law, the proper process is if it happens in flagrante delicto, they should be arrested and undergo inquest. But if it has already happened and they were not caught in the act, but rather after the fact, then the case should be filed," he explained.

Torre also noted that no senators had reached out to the CIDG regarding the issue but said they were free to file separate complaints if they wished.

"No one has contacted us, and we don’t expect them to because their involvement isn’t necessary to build the case. However, if they want to file their own complaints based on how the remark affected them, they are welcome to do so," he said.

Torre informed PNP Chief Police General Rommel Marbil about the complaint, and he reportedly expressed support for the action.

"I informed the chief that I would be filing the case, and he said, 'Go ahead, do your job,'" Torre said.

"This is my job. I would be neglecting my duty if I didn’t file the case and let someone else do it. It would be embarrassing for the PNP if someone else filed first when the violation was caught on camera," he added.

Torre maintained that his actions were within the CIDG’s mandate.

"I made the decision, but I informed the Chief PNP and my higher-ups. I submitted an official report," he said.

"The discussion went well. I wasn’t told to stop — on the contrary, he even said, 'Good job,'" he added.

Duterte Allies Dismiss Case as Baseless

Former Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo called the CIDG’s move “foolish.”

“The grave threats complaint he and his agency have filed against FPRRD is dismissible outright for utter lack of legal basis and for being ludicrous as well,” he said.

Panelo argued that Duterte was merely joking.

“What is happening to this country? Are you no longer allowed to joke? Will a complaint be filed against you just for kidding around? Do we not have democracy?” he said.

He added that the senators had the common sense and humor to understand Duterte’s remark as "amusing and laughable," unlike Torre.

Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said Duterte could defend himself if the case against him moves forward.

Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada dismissed the remarks as Duterte’s usual sense of humor, saying: “PRRD is just a joker.”

Senator Imee Marcos also brushed aside the issue, saying she was not afraid of Duterte’s statement because she is "well-loved" by the former president.

"I am used to Davao trashtalk. Without passing judgment that it’s right or wrong, it feels like we got used to throwing shade. I’m not a hindrance. That’s why I am not afraid," she said.