The Department of Justice (DOJ) assured the public that law enforcement agencies are prepared to protect Vice President Sara Duterte and all Filipinos after she said she does not feel safe in the Philippines and does not trust the court handling her case.

Justice Secretary Fredderick Vida said Duterte’s statement reflected legitimate personal feelings that should not be judged or dismissed.

“Nakakalungkot po na para sa pangalawang pinakamataas na opisyal ng ating bansa na ano… pero syempre we cannot gaslight the feelings of an individual,” Vida said.

“Of course, these are legitimate feelings. I don’t like to speculate where she is coming from,” he added.

Vida, however, pointed to the readiness of the country’s law enforcement agencies to perform their duties and ensure Duterte’s security.

“Pinatotohanan ng ating iba’t-ibang law enforcement agencies na sila ay handa at gaganap sa kanilang tungkulin para ma-secure hindi lamang ang ating vice president kundi lahat ng Pilipino,” he said.

Over the weekend, the DOJ charged Duterte with three counts of grave threats over remarks in which she said she had hired someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez if an alleged plot against her were to succeed.

“I do not feel safe in my own country where I am supposed to freely work and do my job,” Duterte said to the media on the day she posted her bail.

Duterte posted bail before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court on Saturday, a day after the court issued an arrest warrant in connection with the case.