Malacañang said Saturday that the Philippine National Police (PNP) is carrying out its mandate in accordance with the law, without bias or political considerations.

In a statement, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the police force remains focused on protecting the rights of individuals under its protection and serving the interests of the Filipino people.

“Ipinatutupad ng PNP ang kanilang mandato ayon sa batas, walang kinikilingan at ng walang halong pulitika kundi para bawat Pilipino lamang (The PNP is carrying out its mandate in accordance with the law, without bias and without political considerations, but solely for the benefit of every Filipino),” Castro said.

Castro’s statement was in response to Vice President Sara Z. Duterte’s remarks that she fears for her life after the police went to where her children were, following the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) issuance of an arrest warrant against her.

Duterte said she felt “unsafe” after the incident and that she believes that “they are going to kill” her.

Castro said the government would not allow the police force to be used as a “weapon (to) perpetrate violence.”

She advised individuals with complaints to pursue appropriate legal remedies rather than make unsubstantiated accusations.

“Ipinapaalala natin sa publiko na ang anumang agam-agam o reklamo hinggil sa aksyon ng pulisya ay maaari nilang ipaabot ang mga ito sa pamamagitan ng legal na pamamaraan at hindi sa pagsasagawa ng mga usaping walang batayan (We remind the public that any concern or complaint regarding police actions may be raised through legal channels, rather than through baseless allegations),” Castro said.

“Nais rin namin ipaalala sa lahat na ang administrasyong ito ay hindi papayag na maging sandata ang kapulisan sa anumang karahasan (We also wish to remind everyone that this administration will not allow the police force to be used as a weapon for any form of violence).”

Law Applies To All

House of Representatives trial spokesperson and Lanao del Sur 1st District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the indictment of Duterte showed that the law applies equally to everyone, regardless of status or position.

He rejected claims that the case is a form of political persecution, saying the issuance of an arrest warrant against the Vice President only demonstrates that “the justice system is taking its normal course.”

“Ito pong nangyayari ngayon, ito po ang nagpapatunay na gumugulong po ang hustisya sa ating bansa (This current development, it proves that justice is rolling in our country),” Adiong said in a radio interview over the weekend.

He said public officials should continue to demonstrate respect for the country’s courts and laws even when the proceedings or outcomes may not be favorable to them.

PNP: Noted

Castro said the government maintains full confidence in the PNP leadership and its personnel.

“Nanatili silang professional sa pangangalaga sa mga karapatan ng lahat ng taong nasa ilalim ng kanilang pagprotekta. Buo ang tiwala ng administrasyon sa pamunuan ng PNP at sa hanay nito (They remain professional in safeguarding the rights of all individuals under their protection. The administration has full confidence in the PNP leadership and its ranks),” she said.

The PNP said it has taken note of the statements and concerns raised by Duterte regarding the alleged conduct of police officers.

In a statement on Saturday, the PNP said it continues to monitor the situation.

To date, however, the Vice President has not reported to the PNP any threat to her life or to the safety of her family, including the threats she said date back to 2023.

Likewise, the PNP has not monitored any verified threat against the Vice President or her family, the statement read.

The PNP provided security assistance during the Vice President’s appearance at the RTC, when she posted a bail of PHP360,000 for three counts of grave threats.

She left the court safely, the PNP said.

“The PNP remains open to receiving any document, report or statement concerning the reported threats. My office, in particular, remains open to receiving such information so that we can properly check, assess, and verify it,” PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said. (With reports from Christopher Lloyd T. Caliwan, Zaldy De Layola/PNA)