MANILA: The Philippine National Police (PNP) is considering filing additional criminal charges against Vice President Sara Duterte, her security personnel, and other staff following an incident on November 23 at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City. “We expect that there will be more cases that will be filed aside from grave coercion, direct assault, and disobedience to persons in authority,” stated PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo during a press briefing at Camp Crame, Quezon City on Monday. However, Fajardo did not provide further details regarding the nature of these additional charges.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) had already filed charges last week against Vice President Duterte and three other individuals for direct assault, disobedience to authority, and grave coercion. These charges stemmed from a confrontation with police officers who were involved in the transfer of Duterte’s chief of staff, Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez.
Brig. Gen. Fajardo also confirmed that Duterte holds a License To Own and Possess Firearms (LTOPF) and Firearm Registration (FR) but lacks a Permit To Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR).

Fajardo suggested waiting for the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to complete its investigation to determine if the current charges could lead to the revocation or cancellation of Duterte’s LTOFP and firearms registration. PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil emphasized that the filing of charges against Duterte is part of the police force’s constitutional duty to uphold the rule of law. Marbil made this statement in response to allegations from the Vice President suggesting that the PNP is being used for political harassment against her.