The Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) has clarified that Malacañang had no role in the filing of inciting to sedition and unlawful utterance complaints against former President Rodrigo Duterte.
PNP-CIDG chief Police Major General Nicolas Torre III emphasized in a press conference that the case is purely a law enforcement matter and not politically driven.
“There was none. I don’t think Malacañang should be involved in this because this is purely law enforcement. The police are law enforcers, and we see a violation of the law,” Torre stated.
Duterte’s Remarks Spark Legal Action
The complaint stems from Duterte’s controversial statement during a PDP-Laban rally, where he jokingly suggested that if 15 senators were killed, his party’s candidates could secure Senate seats.
“Patayin natin ‘yung mga senador ngayon para mabakante. Kung makapatay tayo ng mga 15 na senador, pasok na tayong lahat… The only way to do it is pasabugin na lang natin.”
(Let’s kill the senators now to vacate the seats. If we can eliminate 15 senators, we can all get in… The only way to do it is to blow them up.)
Although no senators have approached the CIDG regarding the matter, Torre stated that they are welcome to file their own complaints if they feel affected.
PNP Chief Supports CIDG’s Action
Torre confirmed that he notified PNP Chief Police General Rommel Marbil about the case, who approved the move and even commended him.
“I wasn’t told to stop—on the contrary, he even said, ‘Good job.’”
Panelo Dismisses Complaint as a ‘Joke’
Meanwhile, former Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo dismissed the charges as “foolish,” arguing that Duterte was simply joking.
“What is happening to this country? Are you no longer allowed to joke? Will a complaint be filed against you just for kidding around? Do we not have democracy?”
As the legal process unfolds, the case raises debates on freedom of speech, accountability, and political tensions surrounding Duterte’s remarks.