MANILA — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered police units to verify Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio’s claims of security threats against her and her family, assuring that any reported danger will be assessed despite her publicly expressed distrust of law enforcement.
Nartatez directed concerned PNP units to examine the alleged threats and intensify monitoring of possible security risks involving the Vice President and members of her immediate family.
“Our focus is always on maintaining peace and order, and police actions are always guided by our duty to protect,” Nartatez said in a statement.
The directive followed Duterte-Carpio’s allegations of harassment and her declaration that she does not trust the police or the courts amid her ongoing legal troubles.
Nartatez acknowledged the Vice President’s concerns but maintained that the PNP would continue carrying out its mandate in accordance with the law.
“We understand the Vice President’s concerns, but I assure her that the PNP remains committed to lawful, professional and impartial police operations,” he said.
“(Her) statement was made under a situation that needs patience and understanding,” Nartatez added.
The PNP chief said Duterte-Carpio or her representatives could provide police with documents, reports and statements concerning the alleged threats to help investigators assess their credibility and determine whether further security measures are necessary.
Duterte-Carpio raised the security concerns as she faces three counts of grave threats stemming from remarks she made in November 2024 involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and then House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
The Vice President had said she arranged with another person to kill Marcos, the First Lady and Romualdez if she herself were assassinated.
The Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 subsequently issued a warrant for Duterte-Carpio’s arrest on three counts of grave threats.
She posted a total of P360,000 bail on Saturday and denied that her statements constituted a criminal offense.
Meanwhile, Marcos declined to respond to Duterte-Carpio’s assertion that she does not feel safe following the issuance of the arrest warrant.
The President merely shook his head when reporters sought his reaction during his visit Monday to the Marikina Centralized Materials Recovery Facility./PN
