Metro Manila, Philippines – Malacañang assured the public that the Philippine National Police will not be used as a “weapon” for violence after Vice President Sara Duterte said she feared for her safety as she appeared in court to post bail in her grave threats case.
Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Saturday, Sept. 5, the Marcos administration continues to trust the PNP and maintained that police officers were carrying out their duties without political bias.
“Ipinatutupad ng PNP ang kanilang mandato ayon sa batas, walang kinikilingan at nang walang halong pulitika kundi para sa bawat Filipino lamang,” Castro said.
[Translation: The PNP is carrying out its mandate in accordance with the law, without favor and without political considerations, but solely in the interest of every Filipino.]
“Nanatili silang professional sa pangangalaga sa mga karapatan ng lahat ng taong nasa ilalim ng kanilang pagprotekta,” she added.
[Translation: They remain professional in protecting the rights of everyone under their protection.]
Castro said the administration has full confidence in the PNP leadership and its personnel, adding that anyone with concerns or complaints about police actions could seek legal remedies.
“Nais rin namin ipaalala sa lahat na ang administrasyong ito ay hindi papayag na maging sandata ang kapulisan sa anumang karahasan,” she added.
[Translation: We also want to remind everyone that this administration will not allow the police to be used as a weapon for any form of violence.]
Castro issued the statement after Duterte appeared before the Quezon City Regional Trial Court and posted bail for three counts of grave threats.
Duterte said she did not feel safe and feared for her life amid the police presence surrounding her court appearance.
“I have documented threats and harassment since 2023. I fear for my children. I do not feel they are safe if I am with them,” Duterte said.
“I do not feel safe. Pakiramdam ko papatayin nila ako,” she added.
[Translation: “I do not feel safe. I feel like they are going to kill me.”]
The Quezon City RTC Branch 98 issued a warrant for Duterte’s arrest Friday after finding probable cause to hold her for trial. Bail was set at ₱120,000 for each count.
The charges stem from Duterte’s 2024 remarks that she had instructed someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez if an alleged plot against her succeeded.
