The Philippine National Police (PNP) is expecting more cases, aside from grave coercion, direct assault, and disobedience, to be filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, her security, and other personnel.
“Inaasahan natin na may mga iba pa po tayong mga kaso maliban nga dito sa grave coercion, direct assault, at disobedience to persons in authority (We expect that we have other cases to file aside from grave coercion, direct assault, and disobedience to persons in authority),” PNP spokesperson BGen. Jean Fajardo said in a radio interview on Sunday.
Duterte, Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group commander Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica, and several others were charged following a commotion stemming from the transfer of custody of the Office of the Vice President Chief of Staff, Atty. Zhuleika Lopez.
Fajardo did not give further details on which cases would be filed against several individuals from Duterte’s camp.
The PNP said Duterte and her security detail forcibly took custody of Lopez, causing a commotion with the police officers who were just serving the House order.
Lopez had been held at the House detention facility since Wednesday night when the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability cited her for contempt for her evasive responses during the panel’s legislative inquiry into the alleged misuse of confidential funds by agencies under VP Duterte on 20 November.
Lopez was taken to the hospital early Saturday morning following reports of vomiting and collapsing after the House panel ordered her transfer to the Women’s Correctional Institution in Mandaluyong City.
She was initially brought to St. Luke’s Medical Center in Makati City, but the House of Representatives ordered the police to transport her to Veterans Memorial Medical Center.