Vice President Sara Duterte accused President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday of arranging for the arrest of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, by the International Criminal Court (ICC) last year and of plotting attacks against her, escalating a political feud that has spilled into the criminal case she is currently facing.

Duterte said she had been receiving information about the alleged plots since 2024 and had raised her concerns with then Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner, including a request that her mother and children be shielded from any actions directed at her.

“By 2024, information about Marcos’ plans had already reached me,” Duterte said in a statement written in Filipino.

The statement came days after a Quezon City court issued an arrest warrant for Duterte for three counts of grave threats against Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Duterte denied making the threats as she posted bail on Saturday, saying she would pursue all legal remedies.

The Vice President said that because her security detail was connected to the military, she had approached Brawner with a request that her mother and children not be dragged into any action against her.

“The most important thing was that I asked them to respect and protect my mother and children, and not involve or threaten them in any way because of anything they might do to me,” she said.

Last week, as she faced arrest after the issuance of a warrant by a QC court, Duterte said the authorities’ presence near locations where her mother and children were staying was particularly troubling because Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and the police had acknowledged knowing her whereabouts through their surveillance.

“Approaching or going to the place where my mother and children were staying is a serious matter, especially when minors are involved and affected,” she said.

She accused the authorities of child abuse if the minors would be used, threatened, or drawn into efforts to pressure her.

“The children should never be used, threatened, or dragged into harassment. This is child abuse,” she said.

Remulla and police officials earlier sought to reassure Duterte that she remained entitled to state protection. Remulla said the authorities were duty-bound to protect her and encouraged the Vice President or her representatives to provide documents or reports about alleged threats so these could be verified.

PNP: No harassment of VP

Meanwhile, Police Chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said Saturday that Duterte had not reported any threats against herself or her family to the Philippine National Police (PNP), although police were monitoring the situation.

The PNP on Monday reaffirmed its commitment to lawful and impartial operations following Vice President Duterte’s concerns about police harassment and surveillance.

“We understand the Vice President’s concerns, but I assure her that the PNP remains committed to lawful, professional, and impartial police operations. Our focus is always on maintaining peace and order, and police actions are guided by our duty to protect,” Nartatez said.

Nartatez said this was in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive, through Interior Secretary Remulla, to ensure that police operations were conducted professionally and with respect for an individual’s rights.

Duterte said she did not trust the courts or police and did not feel safe as she posted bail in her criminal case before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court.

Nartatez said her remarks came amid a situation that called for patience and understanding, pointing to the hard work and dedication of police officers, including those who had made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.