Palace says PNP followed law as Sara Duterte posted bail

Malacañang said the Philippine National Police implemented the law impartially when police officers secured the Quezon City Hall of Justice on the day Vice President Sara Duterte posted bail over her grave threats charges she is facing.

"Ipinatutupad ng PNP ang kanilang mandato ayon sa batas, walang kinikilingan at nang walang halong pulitika kundi para [sa] bawat Filipino lamang. Nanatili silang professional sa pangangalaga sa mga karapatan ng lahat ng taong nasa ilalim ng kanilang pagprotekta,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement.

(The PNP carries out its mandate according to the law, impartially and without politics but for [every] Filipino. They have remained professional in safeguarding the rights of all persons under their protection.)

Malacañang expressed its trust in the PNP, as it reminded the public to direct their complaints about police actions through legal processes, and not rumors.

"Buo ang tiwala ng administrasyon sa pamunuan ng PNP at sa hanay nito, at ipinapaalala natin sa publiko na ang anumang agam-agam o reklamo hinggil sa aksyon ng pulisya ay maaari nilang ipaabot sa pamamagitan ng legal na pamamaraan at hindi sa pagsasagawa ng mga usaping walang batayan," the PCO said.

(The administration has full confidence in the leadership of the PNP and its ranks, and we remind the public that any concern or complaint regarding police actions may be raised through legal channels and not by resorting to baseless allegations.)

“Nais din namin ipaalala sa lahat na ang administrasyong ito ay hindi papayag na maging sandata ang kapulisan sa anumang karahasan,” it added.

(We also want to remind everyone that this administration will not allow the police to be used as a weapon in any violence.)

Duterte posted bail at a Quezon City court, a day after the issuance of an arrest warrant against her over her grave threats case.

In a statement, Duterte said she does not feel safe.

"I have documented threats and harassment since 2023. I fear for my children. I do not feel they are safe if I am with them," she said.

"Umalis na nga ako kung nasaan ang mga anak ko para pumunta sa korte, pero pumunta pa rin ang pulis," Duterte added.

(I already left the place where my children were to go to court, but the police still went there.)

"I do not feel safe. Pakiramdam ko papatayin nila ako (I feel they will kill me)," the vice president said.

The QC Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 98 set the bail at P120,000 per count. It found that there is probable cause to hold Duterte for trial, prompting it to issue an arrest warrant against her.

Shortly before she posted bail, Duterte’s counsel, Atty. Michael Poa told reporters that Duterte was considered "surrendered." –NB, GMA News