MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) maintained that the cases against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio and others are not politically-motivated.
According to PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil, the cases were just an exercise of the PNP’s mandate to uphold the rule of law.
“The PNP remains committed to its mandate to enforce the law without fear or favor. The filing of cases against any individual, regardless of status or political affiliation, is a reflection of our duty to the Constitution and the Filipino people,” Marbil said.
The PNP chief also assured that legal mechanisms are in place to ensure fairness and due process amid the cases Duterte-Carpio is facing.
Marbil’s statement came after PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said over the weekend that they are eyeing to file more cases against Duterte-Carpio and her group.
Fajardo said the direct assault, disobedience, and grave coercion complaints against Duterte-Carpio, Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) head Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica, and other John Does were filed in light of the disruption that happened when Atty. Zuleika Lopez fell ill when she was detained at the House of Representatives.
“Inaasahan natin na may mga iba pa po tayong mga kaso maliban nga dito sa grave coercion, direct assault, at disobedience to persons in authority,” Fajardo said in an interview with DZBB AM radio.
Earlier, the PNP argued that the actions of the Vice President’s staff may have interfered with the detention order issued by the House of Representatives, as well as disrupted the operations at both the detention center and Veterans Memorial Medical Center./PN
