The Philippine National Police (PNP) have filed multiple charges against Vice President Sara Duterte and her security detail, alleging assault, disobedience, and coercion during an incident at the House of Representatives, Bloomberg reports.
The charges stem from an event surrounding the transfer of Duterte’s chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, from the House to a government hospital following Lopez’s detention.
According to a PNP statement, the charges relate to “unlawful acts” committed during the transfer. PNP Chief General Rommel Marbil emphasized the force’s commitment to upholding justice and holding all accountable under the law, regardless of position.
This action comes amidst a rapidly deteriorating relationship between Vice President Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Last week, Duterte made alarming statements claiming she had arranged for the assassination of President Marcos, his wife, Liza Araneta, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, should she be killed. She later claimed her words were taken out of context.
“Don’t worry about my security because I’ve already talked to someone,” Duterte reportedly said. “I told him if I get killed, kill BBM, Liza Araneta and Martin Romualdez.”
Duterte’s statement sparked immediate outrage and prompted a separate summons from the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), requiring her to appear on Friday to explain her remarks. She subsequently clarified her comments on Facebook, stating that the use of the word “assassin” was a misrepresentation of her sentiments and that her frustration stemmed from the Marcos administration’s perceived failures to serve the Filipino people while simultaneously persecuting political opponents.
Adding fuel to the already volatile situation, former President Rodrigo Duterte, Sara Duterte’s father, called on the military to address what he termed “fractured governance.” While he denied calling for a coup, the comments have been interpreted by some as a potential incitement to military action.
