MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has raised fresh concerns over her safety and that of her children, saying she has documented threats and harassment dating back to 2023.
But as political and legal tensions surrounding her intensify, the Philippine National Police says it has yet to receive a formal report from Duterte detailing those alleged threats—and police have not independently monitored any verified threat against her or her family.
The disclosure came Saturday, September 5, as Duterte appeared at the Quezon City Hall of Justice to post bail following the issuance of an arrest warrant in connection with three counts of grave threats.
PNP chief Police General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said the police organization was aware of Duterte’s statements and was continuing to monitor the situation.
“To date, however, the Vice President has not reported to the PNP any threat to her life or to the safety of her family,” Nartatez said, referring even to the threats Duterte said had been occurring since 2023.
He added that the PNP had likewise not monitored any verified threat against the Vice President or her family.
Duterte: “I do not feel safe”
Duterte made the safety claims shortly after a Quezon City court issued a warrant for her arrest over the grave-threats case.
In a statement released through the Office of the Vice President, she said she feared for her children and questioned her safety in the presence of police personnel.
She also alleged that police had gone to the location where her children were staying even after she had already left to attend court.
“I do not feel safe,” Duterte said, according to reports. She also expressed fear that she could be killed.
However, Duterte did not publicly provide specific details of the alleged threats in the statement, nor did she identify the police personnel she accused of harassment or surveillance.
PNP opens door for evidence
Despite the absence of a formal report, the PNP said Duterte can still submit documents or statements concerning the alleged threats.
Nartatez said the police are prepared to assess and verify any information that may be submitted.
The PNP chief also emphasized that authorities would allow the verification process to take its course before drawing conclusions about the allegations.
That distinction is significant: Duterte’s allegations have not been dismissed as impossible, but neither has the PNP confirmed them as verified threats.
The timing comes amid Duterte’s legal troubles
The safety concerns surfaced at a critical moment for the Vice President.
On September 4, Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98 issued an arrest warrant after finding probable cause to hold Duterte for trial on three counts of grave threats. The case stemmed from her November 2024 online remarks involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Duterte has maintained that her remarks were taken out of context and has challenged the legal proceedings against her.
The court set bail at P120,000 for each count, or P360,000 in total. Duterte appeared voluntarily before the court on Saturday and posted the full amount, resulting in the lifting of the arrest warrant.
Duterte chose to appear in public as she posted bail
Duterte’s appearance at the QC Hall of Justice became another flashpoint.
She asked members of the media to accompany her, saying she wanted public visibility because she did not feel safe going with police personnel.
Her lawyers subsequently said she voluntarily appeared before the court and completed the required booking procedures. The QCPD said there was no irregularity in her not having a police mugshot because she had not been arrested by law enforcement and instead went directly to court to post bail.
The PNP, meanwhile, said its personnel provided security assistance during Duterte’s appearance and that she was able to safely arrive at and leave the courthouse.
DILG pushes back on allegations against police
Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” Remulla also defended the police response.
According to reports, Remulla said the PNP accorded Duterte the respect appropriate to her position. He also said authorities knew where the Vice President was on Friday night but did not forcibly serve the arrest warrant at that time.
Malacañang likewise defended the PNP and said concerns or complaints about police conduct should be addressed through proper legal channels.
What happens next?
For now, one question hangs over Duterte’s latest allegations:
What evidence will emerge if the Vice President formally reports the alleged threats to authorities?
The PNP says it is ready to receive documents, reports or statements and conduct verification.
Until such evidence is submitted and independently assessed, the allegations remain claims made by Duterte rather than verified threats established by law enforcement.
Meanwhile, her grave-threats case continues, her impeachment proceedings remain a major political issue, and her latest statements about her personal safety are likely to keep the Duterte-Marcos political conflict in the national spotlight.
For Duterte, the next move may therefore be as important as the allegations themselves: whether she will formally turn the threats she says she has documented into an official report that police can investigate.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.S
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