Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla denied Vice President Sara Duterte’s allegation that she and her family were harassed by police during the implementation of an arrest warrant against her.
Remulla said Duterte had wanted to surrender and be detained at Camp Crame on Friday. However, he said they believed her camp wanted an opportunity for the vice president to be photographed while detained and handcuffed.
CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Robert Alexander Morico said Duterte’s security team also asked during negotiations where she would be detained and what food would be served to her.
Duterte did not proceed to Camp Crame. Instead, she went to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court the following day to post bail in her grave threats case.
Remulla also maintained that no force was used during the attempt to serve the warrant. He said there was no SWAT team involved and that the personnel sent to Duterte’s residence and office were all women from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group.
The DILG secretary also said the Philippine National Police, through the Police Security and Protection Group, had previously offered Duterte additional security personnel, but she allegedly declined the offer.
Remulla challenged Duterte’s camp to release CCTV footage or other evidence to support its harassment allegations.
He also maintained that the PNP extended the appropriate courtesy to Duterte because of her position as the country’s second-highest official.
The statements from Remulla and Morico came in response to Duterte’s allegations concerning the police operation and the treatment of her family during the implementation of the arrest warrant.
