MALACAÑANG dismissed concerns raised by Vice President Sara Duterte that her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, might face threats to his life if repatriated from detention at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague, Netherlands.
In a press briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the government is unaware of any credible threat to the former president’s safety, questioning the basis of the vice president’s remarks.
“Nakapagtataka, saan ba nakukuha itong mga kuwento na ganito? Saan po nakukuha ang pagkukumpara kay dating Ninoy Aquino? Saan nakukuha iyong mga threats?” Castro said, referring to Vice President Duterte’s comparison of her father’s situation to that of former senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., who was assassinated upon his return to the country in 1983.
Castro noted that authorities, including the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Philippine National Police (PNP), have not received any formal report or evidence of threats against either Duterte or the vice president.
“Kailangan po kasi natin ng mga materyales na ebidensiya bago magsagawa ng ganitong mga klaseng statements,” she said. “Wala pong katotohanan ‘yan.”
