The Philippine National Police (PNP) is eyeing more criminal charges against Vice President Sara Duterte, her security personnel and other staff in connection with the ruckus that stemmed from the hospital transfer of lawyer Zuleika Lopez last month.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said investigation is still ongoing in relation to other possible charges that could be filed against Duterte, aside from at least three charges that were already filed last week.

“We expect that there will be more cases that will be filed aside from grave coercion, direct assault and disobedience to persons in authority,” said Fajardo.

She, however, did not elaborate although the PNP leadership has earlier instructed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to look into all the violations committed, including the threats made by the Vice President against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Last week, charges of direct assault, disobedience to authority and grave coercion were filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office against the Vice President, the head of her security protection group and several others in connection with the incident at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC). 

Duterte and her security personnel were accused of preventing policemen from enforcing the order of the House of Representatives for the hospitalization of lawyer Zuleika Lopez, chief of staff of the Office of the Vice President.

Lopez was supposed to be taken to the VMMC but the group of Duterte allegedly intervened and took her to St. Luke’s Hospital.

Durterte’s chief of security, Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, was accused of assaulting a police doctor during the incident

PNP chief, Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said the filing of criminal charges  against Duterte is an exercise of the police’s constitutional mandate to uphold the rule of law.

Marbil issued the statement amid allegations that the PNP is among the government agencies being used to politically harass Duterte amid her rift with President Marcos and his allies.

"The PNP remains committed to its mandate to enforce the law without fear or favor. The filing of cases against any individual, regardless of status or political affiliation, is a reflection of our duty to the Constitution and the Filipino people," Marbil said.

Marbil said the filing of charges by the police only reflected the role of law enforcement, underscoring that inaction could lead to public distrust. 

"If we do not file cases against those accused, what will people say? Takot ang pulis, pangmahirap lang ang pangil ng batas (That policemen are afraid that the law only applies to the poor?) We cannot allow such perceptions to take root. Our duty is to apply the law to everyone, regardless of their standing, because justice is not selective," said Marbil.  

"We have seen how inaction, or selective application of the law, undermines public trust—like the ‘tokhang’ (drug war) criticisms of the previous administration, where victims were perceived to be predominantly from the poor. We refuse to let history repeat itself. The PNP is committed to protecting all sectors of society without bias or prejudice,” he added.

Marbil also assured the public that legal mechanisms are in place to ensure fairness and due process, stressing that everyone is entitled to defend themselves through these avenues, as guaranteed by the Constitution.

"It is this principle that guides us in our work. As law enforcers, we cannot choose whom to apply the law to or make exceptions based on affiliations or relationships. Our mandate is to protect and serve all people equally, without prejudice or discrimination," Marbil said.

He, however, assured the public that the police organization remains committed to performing its duties with integrity, impartiality, and respect for human rights. 

Marbil also called for the public’s trust and cooperation in ensuring that justice and the rule of law prevail in the country.

"Let us all remember that the rule of law is the foundation of a just and peaceful society. As the guardians of public safety, we remain committed to this principle for the benefit of the Filipino people," he said.