A frame from a video the Philippine National Police claims to depict an individual stating that barangay officials transported them to the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) Shrine. (Screengrab from Philippine National Police/Facebook)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it received reports that Vice President Sara Duterte’s supporters were promised payment to rally at the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) Shrine amid her recent spat with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Speaking to reporters in a conference at Camp Crame, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo shared videos that the police force claimed to depict supporters allegedly having their names listed in a logbook for payment.
“Some were allegedly transported from their barangays to Edsa Shrine. They said they were promised payment and food,” Fajardo said.
“In fact, some of them are complaining because allegedly, they were promised to be given P500 for three days, but they only got P200. It was documented, I do not know who released it,” she added.
A frame from a video the Philippine National Police claims to depict individuals having their names listed in a logbook for payment at the Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) Shrine. (Screengrab from Philippine National Police/Facebook)
Fajardo, however, did not confirm the videos’ authenticity.
“We don’t want to pre-judge our fellow Filipinos who were promised something and were used for their own vested interests. We’re not sure if this is true. We’re just sharing it because it is circulating on social media,” she explained.
Around 100 people were gathered behind the Edsa Shrine as of 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 27, according to the PNP spokesperson.
In a statement on Tuesday evening, Edsa Shrine Rector Rev. Fr. Jerome Secillano reported a surge in visitors “for reasons only known to them, and for some, unknown to them.”
“They will be allowed again to stay inside the shrine on the pretext that they are praying and not doing things not proper for a house of worship,” he added.
The gathering comes after the backlash against Duterte for her threat to kill President Marcos, his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos, and his cousin House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
READ: Sara Duterte’s kill remark vs Marcos is ‘active threat’ – Palace
“May kinausap na ako na tao. Sinabi ko sa kanya, ‘Kapag pinatay ako, patayin mo si BBM, si Liza Araneta, at si Martin Romualdez.’ No joke, no joke. Nagbilin na ako,” Duterte said during an online press conference Saturday early morning.
(I already talked to a person. I told the person, ‘If they kill me, kill Bongbong Marcos, Liza Araneta, and Martin Romualdez.’ No joke, no joke. I’ve left instructions.)
Malacañang responded on Saturday morning, calling Duterte’s remarks an “active threat” and referring the matter to the Presidential Security Command.
Marcos responded in a video message on Monday, saying Duterte’s statements were “alarming” and daring her to answer the House of Representatives’ inquiry into her alleged misuse of confidential funds.
READ: Marcos on VP Duterte’s assassination threat: ‘I’ll fight back’
“If it’s that easy to plan the assassination of a president, how much more for ordinary citizens? Such criminal attempts should not be ignored,” Marcos said.
Duterte was once Marcos’ ally under the “UniTeam” tandem for the 2022 national elections.