Police file charges vs. Duterte, security detail; VP to hit back
Metro Manila, Philippines – The Philippine National Police has filed multiple complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte and her security personnel for supposed interference in the transfer of her detained chief of staff.
On Wednesday, Nov. 27, Van Jason Villamor of the PNP health service, filed a complaint for direct assault, disobedience, and grave coercion against Duterte and her chief security detail, PCol Raymund Dante Lachica, over an incident at the House of Representatives and Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City.
In a media briefing, PNP spokesperson PBGen Jean Fajardo said the police was supposed to help in the transfer of Zuleika Lopez, Duterte’s staff, from the House of Representatives to the women’s correctional facility in Mandaluyong City.
The House later ordered Lopez to stay at the hospital after she fell ill.
In the briefing, the PNP presented a video of Lachica pushing Villamor who was asked to assist the vice president’s staff.
Fajardo said Lopez was supposed to be transported through the ambulance from the Quezon City Police District.
Duterte’s staff was brought to a private hospital instead, contrary to the House order. She was transferred to the VMMC on the same day.
”In compliance with the order of the House of Representatives, kailangan po siya ilipat sa isang government hospital which is precisely being done hindi lang sa kasong ito,” Fajarda said.
[Translation: In compliance with the order of the House of Representatives, she must be transferred to a government hospital, which is precisely being done, not just in this case.]
“We are studying the possible cases aside from direct assault is violation ng (of) Article 159, resistance and disobedience to persons in authority and its agents,” she added.
The House committee on good government and public accountability, which ordered Lopez’s detention, earlier described the incident as a “blatant disregard for institutional authority.”
On the other hand, in a briefing held in Zamboanga City, Duterte said their camp will file charges against the police as well.
“We are filing charges against them as well for disobedience, for kidnapping, for robbery,” said Duterte.
