By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla has rejected Vice President Sara Duterte’s allegations of harassment during the service of her arrest warrant, saying police coordinated with her security team and followed established procedures throughout the operation.
Remulla said there was no excessive force, intimidation, or covert operation when Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) personnel served the warrant at Duterte’s office in Mandaluyong City and later at her residence in San Juan.
He challenged Duterte’s camp to present closed-circuit television footage from the two locations to support the allegations.
“As you can see in the service of the warrants, there was no SWAT, there was no armed component,” Remulla said, noting that the personnel involved included unarmed women police officers.
CIDG director PMGen. Robert Alexander Morico II said the agency received the warrant at 12:45 p.m. on September 4 and sent a Women and Children Protection Unit team to Duterte’s Mandaluyong office.
The CIDG also coordinated with the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) regarding Duterte’s surrender and possible detention.
Morico said Duterte was initially expected to appear at Camp Crame, where police were prepared to escort her and accommodate her in a conference room because the PNP detention facility was undergoing renovation and had limited facilities for women.
Police waited until about 1 a.m. for Duterte to arrive, but she did not appear.
The following morning, authorities learned that she would instead proceed to the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to post bail. A CIDG team was then dispatched to her San Juan residence to serve the warrant and escort her to court.
Morico said there was no need to deploy a heavily armed unit because Duterte already had VPSPG personnel providing security.
Remulla also denied allegations that police conducted covert surveillance of Duterte, saying CIDG personnel maintained direct coordination with her chief security officer.
He said no SWAT team, drones, motorcycles or police vehicles were used to follow Duterte during the operation.
Remulla also disputed claims that authorities sought to create a dramatic arrest, saying police followed the procedures governing the warrant and the bailable offense.
He said authorities did not allow Duterte to be photographed in handcuffs or behind bars and explained that a voluntary surrender only required four photographs for booking.
Remulla further questioned Duterte’s claim that she did not feel safe, noting that about 400 security personnel are assigned to protect her.
PNP chief PGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said personnel previously assigned specifically to Duterte had been recalled more than a year ago and were subsequently retained under the Police Security and Protection Group.
Duterte had earlier alleged harassment and surveillance by the PNP and other government agencies, saying she had not felt safe since 2023 and remained concerned about threats to herself and her family.
Remulla said the PNP was prepared to investigate the alleged threats if Duterte submits documentation identifying them.
He also said additional police security could be provided if requested, maintaining that the police presence near Duterte’s residence was part of standard security measures and was not deployed solely because of the arrest warrant.
ia/xf
