MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday accused the government of using her family to intimidate her, following an admission by Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla that authorities already knew her whereabouts prior to serving an arrest warrant.
Duterte said Remulla’s statement appeared to support documents she claims to possess, allegedly detailing surveillance and harassment operations conducted against her by the Philippine National Police and other government agencies.
Remulla earlier said law enforcers had identified Duterte’s location the night before the warrant was to be enforced, but did not immediately carry it out. The vice president questioned why police still went to her mother and children despite this.
“If you already knew where I was, why approach my family? The intent is clearly to intimidate,” Duterte said.
She also maintained that she could not voluntarily surrender, citing concerns over her safety while in police custody and a lack of trust in authorities.
Duterte posted P360,000 bail for three counts of grave threats after the Quezon City Regional Trial Court issued a warrant of arrest on Friday.
No official response has yet been issued by other branches of government regarding the vice president’s allegations. #
