Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday accused police and personnel of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) of involving her children in serving the warrant of arrest against her, asserting that threatening and using minors as leverage is tantamount to child abuse.
In a statement shared on social media, Duterte said authorities appearing where her mother and children were staying was a serious matter.
Previously, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla admitted to knowing Duterte’s location on the night the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) released her arrest warrant.
“Ang paglapit o pagpunta sa lugar kung saan naroroon ang aking ina at mga anak, sa kabila ng pag-amin ng DILG Secretary at ng pulisya na alam nila kung nasaan ako dahil sa kanilang mga surveillance activities, ay isang seryosong usapin, lalo na kung nadadamay o naaapektuhan ang mga menor de edad. Ang mga bata ay hindi dapat ginagamit, tinatakot, o idinadamay sa panggigipit. Ito ay child abuse,” she said in a statement shared on social media.
Duterte said that this conduct demonstrates a lack of respect and an indifference to child safety, indicating apathy for the country’s future.
“Mga kababayan, ang isang pamahalaang hindi gumagalang at nagpoprotekta sa mga kabataan ay nagpapakita ng kawalan ng malasakit sa kinabukasan ng ating bayan,” she stated.
She disclosed that she had spoken to former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner concerning her safety. She requested that her mother and children be respected and protected above all else.
“Dahil ang aking seguridad ay nakaugnay sa Hukbong Sandatahan ng Pilipinas alinsunod sa constitutional line of succession, minabuti kong ipaalam sa dating Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner ang ilang mahahalagang pakiusap. Higit sa lahat, hiniling ko na igalang at protektahan ang aking ina at mga anak, at huwag silang idamay o takutin sa kahit anumang gagawin sa akin,” she said.
Moreover, she claimed that, since 2024, she has already been in the know regarding President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s alleged plans, which she said she has been prepared for.
The Vice President said that among these plans was the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant against her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, and the attacks she has been receiving.
On Saturday, Duterte posted bail of ₱360,000 before the Quezon City RTC Branch 98, accompanied by lawyers Michael Poa and Paul Lawrence Lim. She repeatedly stressed that she does not feel safe with or trust the police.
