MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has assured Vice President Sara Duterte that authorities will examine and verify the security concerns she raised after saying she feared for her safety.
Nartatez said the Philippine National Police would take Duterte’s concerns seriously and assess any information that could indicate a potential threat to the vice president or her family.
The assurance came after Duterte publicly expressed fears for her safety amid escalating legal and political tensions, following the issuance of an arrest warrant against her in connection with three counts of grave threats.
However, police officials said they had not identified a verified or reported threat against Duterte at the time of their statements. The PNP nevertheless said it remained prepared to investigate any credible information and provide appropriate security assistance.
Duterte Says She No Longer Feels Safe
Duterte raised concerns about her security after posting bail in the grave threats case, saying she feared for her life and expressing distrust toward law enforcement and other institutions.
Her concerns have added another layer of tension to an already volatile political situation involving the vice president and the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The case against Duterte stems from remarks she made during an online news conference in 2024 that prosecutors allege constituted threats against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Duterte has denied the allegations and has maintained that the case against her is politically motivated.
PNP Says Concerns Will Be Checked
Nartatez said the PNP would not simply dismiss Duterte’s concerns and would verify whether there was any factual basis for claims involving her security.
The police chief’s position appeared aimed at reassuring the vice president while also emphasizing that security assessments must be based on verified information.
The PNP has also said it remains responsible for providing protection and responding to legitimate security concerns involving high-ranking government officials.
Authorities have not publicly disclosed any specific or credible threat against Duterte.
Police officials said, however, that the force remained open to examining new information if Duterte or her representatives provided details requiring investigation.
Arrest Warrant Adds to Political Tensions
The latest security concerns emerged just days after a Philippine court issued an arrest warrant against Duterte over three counts of grave threats.
Duterte later posted bail totaling P360,000, according to international reports.
The charges are connected to statements Duterte made in November 2024 during a period of growing political conflict between the Duterte and Marcos camps.
Duterte has denied threatening the president and other officials and has vowed to pursue available legal remedies.
The legal battle has intensified the already deep divide between two political families that were allies during the 2022 national elections but later became bitter rivals.
Trust Between Duterte and Police Under Spotlight
Beyond the question of whether a direct threat exists, Duterte’s statement has placed renewed attention on her relationship with the country’s law enforcement institutions.
The vice president has publicly expressed concerns about whether she can trust authorities responsible for her security.
The PNP has responded by saying it wants to address those concerns and rebuild confidence while continuing to monitor the situation.
For Nartatez and the police force, the challenge is now twofold: determine whether Duterte faces a genuine security threat and assure the public that any investigation will be handled professionally and impartially.
The PNP’s response will likely face close scrutiny given the wider political and legal disputes surrounding the vice president.
Political Crisis Continues to Deepen
Duterte’s security concerns come at a time when she is facing several major political and legal challenges.
Apart from the grave threats case, she has also been involved in separate proceedings that have intensified the political conflict between the Duterte and Marcos camps.
The dispute has become one of the defining political confrontations in the Philippines, with both sides accusing the other of political persecution and abuse of power.
International reporting has described the breakdown of the once-powerful Marcos-Duterte alliance as a major factor shaping the country’s political landscape ahead of the 2028 presidential election.
PNP Faces Pressure to Deliver Clear Answers
For now, the PNP says it has not confirmed any specific threat against the vice president.
But Nartatez’s commitment to verify Duterte’s concerns means police will remain under pressure to determine whether her fears are based on credible intelligence or whether additional security measures are necessary.
The outcome could carry significant political consequences.
Any confirmed threat against Duterte would immediately raise serious questions about the security of one of the country’s highest-ranking officials.
At the same time, the absence of a verified threat has not ended the vice president’s concerns about her safety and trust in law enforcement.
As the PNP begins verifying Sara Duterte’s claims, the issue is no longer only about whether a threat exists — it is also becoming a test of trust between the country’s vice president and the institutions sworn to protect her.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.D
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