Palace orders DILG to probe Duterte paper-eating case

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo said that as of 2011, only 63 percent of PNP officers had been provided with short firearms. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang has ordered the Department of Interior and Local Government to investigate allegations that Davao City Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte abused his position when he forced a suspected swindler to eat paper.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said that Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo has formed a fact-finding body to look into the allegations against Duterte, who has had a reputation of being a tough official in his city.

The DILG will get into its possession a video showing the suspect chewing in front of Duterte.

“I’m pretty confident that the DILG will be getting its hands on that (video) and will include it in its fact-finding investigation,” Valte told government radio.

She also said the Palace would not make any comment on the case against Duterte because this might eventually end up being resolved by Malacañang.