VICE President Sara Duterte announced on Wednesday her intent to file charges against the Philippine National Police (PNP) for alleged disobedience, robbery, and kidnapping.
This move follows the PNP’s filing of complaints against Duterte and others over incidents involving her chief of staff, Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez.
PNP Complaints Against Duterte and Allies
The PNP lodged complaints for direct assault, disobedience, and grave coercion against Duterte, Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica—head of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG)—and unidentified individuals.
These complaints, filed with the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, stem from disruptions at the House of Representatives Detention Center and the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) during Lopez’s detention.
Lopez, a long-time aide of Duterte, was initially placed in the House detention facility after being cited in contempt for alleged “undue interference” in a House investigation into the budget use of Duterte’s offices.
She was later transferred to the VMMC after reportedly becoming emotional following an order to move her to the Correctional Institution for Women (CIW) in Mandaluyong City.
Duterte’s Response
Duterte dismissed the PNP’s complaints, claiming they were baseless and part of a campaign of “oppression and harassment” against her.
“On face value, the PNP’s complaints do not hold water. Initially, we are filing charges against them as well—for disobedience, for kidnapping, for robbery,” Duterte said during a press conference in Zamboanga City.
Alleged Threats and PNP’s Response
The vice president also criticized the PNP for its alleged lack of awareness regarding threats to her safety.
“It’s a global embarrassment that our Philippine National Police, which has intelligence funds, is unaware of threats against the Vice President,” Duterte said. “Their statements only reveal the incompetence of the PNP.”
She urged the PNP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to investigate the alleged threats instead of dismissing them outright.
The PNP, however, stated that any threats against Duterte would typically be forwarded to the VPSPG for action.
Tensions with House Speaker Romualdez
Duterte has alleged that House Speaker Martin Romualdez wanted her dead, claiming he would not carry out such actions within the House complex.
Romualdez has denied the allegations. The vice president also made controversial remarks over the weekend, stating she had directed someone to kill President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Romualdez if an alleged plot against her succeeded.
She later clarified her statement, arguing it was misinterpreted and intended to emphasize the seriousness of the threats she faces.
National Security Implications
Authorities have described Duterte’s remarks as a potential threat to the President and a matter of national security. In response, President Marcos vowed to block any “criminal attempts” against him, further escalating tensions between his administration and the vice president.
This brewing conflict underscores deepening divisions among the nation’s top leaders, raising concerns about its implications for governance and national stability.