Vice President Sara Duterte launched a sharp critique against Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and state security forces, accusing the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of conducting persistent surveillance and political intimidation against her.
Duterte stated that Remulla’s admission regarding law enforcement tracking her whereabouts confirmed her long-held suspicions of state-sponsored monitoring.
She strongly condemned the administration’s actions and expressed a complete lack of faith in the leadership.
”Wala kaming tiwala sa iyo, Jonvic Remulla, at sa mga pulis na sunod-sunuran sa isang korap na pamahalaang pinamumunuan ni Marcos,” Duterte said.
According to the Vice President, the statement from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) confirming they knew her location without serving the warrant served as clear evidence of systematic pressure.
”Ang mga salitang ito ni Secretary Jonvic Remulla ay tila nagpapatibay sa mga dokumentong matagal na naming hawak hinggil sa harassment at surveillance operations ng Philippine National Police at iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno laban sa akin,” Duterte said.
She claimed that police resources and state funds have been inappropriately funneled into tracking her over an extended period. Furthermore, she questioned the necessity of security officers contacting members of her family.
”Isa lamang an malinaw na sagot —upang takutin at sindakin ang aking pamilya,” she said.
Duterte emphasized that public funds should be directed toward law enforcement and crime prevention rather than political intelligence.
”Ang pondo ng gobyerno ay ginagamit dapat para sa seguridad ng taumbayan—para tugisin at labanan ang mga rapist, gun-for-hire, terorista, holdaper, magnanakaw, at mga opisyal ng gobyernong tumatanggap ng maleta ng pera na galing sa taumbayan,” Duterte said.
Addressing her safety concerns, she noted that while she intends to address her legal matters, security risks prevent her from surrendering into police custody.
”Hindi ko magawa dahil hindi ninyo kayang ipangako na magiging ligtas ako sa loob ng inyong kulungan. Hindi ninyo maipangako na hindi ako sasaktan o aabusuhin habang nasa inyong kustodiya,” she said.
Duterte cited the arrest of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, as further proof of law enforcement overreach against political figures.
The statement followed her posting a ₱360,000 bail at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court for three counts of grave threats, shortly after an arrest warrant was issued.
Meanwhile, Remulla defended the police response, stating that authorities accorded the Vice President full respect due to her high office by choosing not to enforce the warrant aggressively.