Vice President Sara Duterte and others are facing complaints for direct assault, disobedience, and grave coercion, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday.
In a statement, the PNP said it has filed the complaints against Duterte, Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) head Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica, and other John Does.
The complaints, filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, stemmed from the disruption at the House of Representatives Detention Center and Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) involving the detention of Duterte’s chief of staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez.
“Dr. Van Jason Villamor of the PNP Health Service, along with his witnesses filed the complaint and swore before the prosecutor to the truthfulness of the allegations outlined in their affidavits,” the PNP said.
“The charges accuse Vice President Duterte, Col. Lachica, and other individuals of unlawful acts related to the assault, disobedience, and coercion that occurred during the incident,” it added.
In a video, Lachica was seen physically pushing Villamor.
According to the PNP, the actions of Duterte’s staff may have interfered with the lawful detention order issued by the House of Representatives, as well as disrupted the operations at both the detention center and VMMC.
Lopez was cited in contempt by the House committee on good government and public accountability and was initially ordered to serve a five-day detention but was extended to ten days due to the disruption.
PNP said VPSPG personnel reportedly assisted in the “forced transfer” of Lopez from the VMMC to St. Luke’s Medical Center using a private ambulance.
“The PNP remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold justice and ensure that all individuals are held accountable under the law, regardless of their position,” PNP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said.
“We respect the legal process and trust that the courts will conduct a fair and impartial investigation into these serious allegations. The PNP continues to prioritize the rule of law and will fully cooperate with the ongoing legal proceedings to ensure transparency and accountability,” he added.
Duterte is expected to hold a press conference in the afternoon to answer questions from the media.
She previously claimed that the order to transfer her chief of staff was an “attempted homicide.”
Duterte also questioned the extended detention for Lopez, saying that it is “illegal.”
Meanwhile, Presidential Adviser for Poverty Alleviation Secretary Larry Gadon has filed a complaint before the Supreme Court for Duterte’s disbarment from the legal profession.
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–VAL, GMA Integrated News
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