‘Spare us from political noise’, PNP says amid Marcos-Duterte spat

Philippine National Police headquarters in Camp Crame

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday appealed to the public to “spare” law enforcement agencies from the widening rift between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.

The police force’s plea came after former President Rodrigo Duterte, the incumbent vice president’s father, said the country was under a “fractured governance” and that ”only the military can correct it.”

READ: Rodrigo Duterte called out for trying to stir military vs Marcos

In a press conference Monday evening, Duterte said, “Until when will you support an addict president? I challenge the whole military because they’re supposed to be the protectors of the Constitution.”

On Wednesday, PNP Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo remarked, “Lahat naman tayo may karapatan magpahayag ng ating mga saloobin. Pero at this point in time, yung ating pakiusap sa ating mga kababayan: let us all be discerning sa lahat ng lumalabas.”

(We all have the right to express our thoughts. But at this point in time, we appeal to our fellow countrymen: let us all be discerning in everything we put out.)

“There are many personal and vested interests riding on political issues today. Our call remains: let us spare the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police from this political noise,” she added in a mix of Filipino and English.

Fajardo added that the police force will “remain apolitical and non-partisan” and “respect the duly constituted authorities and remain loyal to the Constitution.”

READ: AFP remains ‘loyal to Constitution’ amid Sara’s ‘kill threat’ vs Marcos

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) similarly maintained that it was “loyal to the chain of command” in a statement last Saturday, following remarks by Vice President Duterte threatening to kill Marcos; his wife, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos; and his cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

READ: PNP to investigate VP Duterte’s ‘murder threat’ vs Marcos

The younger Duterte’s statements also prompted a probe by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group at the order of Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil.

READ: QCPD files assault complaint vs Sara Duterte, OVP security chief

Earlier, however, the Quezon City Police District filed complaints against Vice President Duterte and the chief of her security group.

According to the police, the complaints stemmed from Duterte and her security head allegedly assaulting a PNP doctor while they were transferring her detained chief-of-staff from the Veterans Memorial Medical Center to the St. Luke’s Medical Center early Saturday morning.