PNP defends cops in Lopez transfer

MANILA, Philippines —  Police officers being threatened with kidnapping and robbery charges by Vice President Sara Duterte “were simply executing a lawful directive from the House of Representatives” when they helped move her chief of staff Zuleika Lopez from St. Luke’s Medical Center to Veterans Memorial Medical Center last Nov. 23, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

In an interview over Radyo Pilipinas, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said there was no basis for Duterte to sue the police officers for kidnapping, robbery and disobedience, as they were just following lawful orders. The Vice President announced her plan at a press briefing in Zamboanga City.

“Last Saturday, our officers were implementing the House’s request to transfer Undersecretary Lopez, but they were obstructed and even subjected to verbal abuse,” Fajardo recalled.

The PNP on Wednesday filed charges of grave coercion, disobedience and direct assault against Duterte and Col. Raymond Lachica, a security officer for the Office of the Vice President, after the latter allegedly interfered in the lawful transfer of Lopez.

During the incident, Duterte allegedly insulted the officers, including Lt. Col. Van Jason Villamor, calling him names, including bakla (gay).

“With due respect, such language is uncalled for,” Fajardo said. “He (Villamor) is not just an ordinary officer; he is a doctor who was present to monitor the health of Undersecretary Lopez, who had complained of feeling unwell.”

Fajardo urged politicians to avoid dragging uniformed personnel into political disputes, emphasizing the importance of the PNP’s mandate to uphold the law.

“The PNP has a long history of weathering political noise,” she said.

In addition to her “conditional threat” to assassinate President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez, the National Bureau of Investigation will also investigate the claim of Duterte that there is also a threat to her life.

In an interview with “Storycon” on One News yesterday, NBI Director Jaime Santiago confirmed that their probe will cover all threats against top officials as it is within their mandate.

Former senator. Antonio Trillanes IV, Duterte should be impeached and not just slapped with criminal charges.

“She has to be removed from her post. She has mental problems. We all know it. We’re not psychiatrist but we can tell of if somebody is mentally unstable, not normal,” he said on Wednesday.  –  Jose Rodel Clapano, Janvic Mateo, Christine Boton