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Duterte threatens arrest of Ombudsman officials who won't cooperate in probe


President Rodrigo Duterte said he would order the arrest of officials from the Office of the Ombudsman who would not cooperate in an investigation.

Duterte said he would create a commission to probe the office over charges of partiality and corruption.

“Kung sabihin ninyo na hindi kami maimbestigahan ng independent body, magkaproblema tayo. Tignan mo,” he said in an interview that aired on state-run People’s Television on Friday.

“I will create a commission, if you do not—I will apply for summons sa court, if hindi ninyo iyan ma-implement, I will, I will arrest you, ‘pag hindi ka sumipot doon sa commission (na) iyon,” he added in the interview taped on Tuesday night in Malacañang.

“’Pag hindi kayo sumipot, I will order the police and the military to arrest you.”

Duterte made the comments just as the anti-graft agency said it was beginning a probe into the wealth of Duterte and his family.

On Friday, the Ombudsman said Duterte seemed to be trying to get back at the agency for the probe.

"Sorry, Mr. President, but this Office shall not be intimidated," the Ombudsman said in a press statement.

The Ombudsman has found an ally in the the president of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), who said Duterte's idea of creating a body to probe the alleged corruption could be constitutionally suspect.

But in his interview, Duterte said that he did not see any issue with his plans.

“Hindi diktador iyan. Justice for one, justice for all,” he said.

“Sabi ninyo, wala kayong korapsyon? Huwag ninyo akong bolahin. Ako mismo, biktima,” he added. —JST, GMA News

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