‘Spare my kids’: Sara Duterte accuses gov’t of ‘child abuse’ due to surveillance operations

MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday, September 7, accused the Marcos government of “child abuse” because of law enforcers’ reported continued “surveillance” of her family.

Duterte made the statement two days after she posted bail for a grave threats case against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family, which was also the time she told the media that she feared for her life.

In her statement, Duterte said that since her security is linked to the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) following the constitutional line of succession, she made “several important requests” to former AFP chief General Romero Brawner.

“Higit sa lahat, hiniling ko na igalang at protektahan ang aking ina at mga anak, at huwag silang idamay o takutin sa kahit anumang gagawin sa akin,” she said.

(Most of all, I asked that my mother and children be respected and protected, and that they be spared or not threatened in any action that may be taken against me.)

She said that Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla and the police had “admitted” that they were aware of her whereabouts because of their surveillance activities, and accused the government of endangering her family, including her children, because of this.

“Ang paglapit o pagpunta sa lugar kung saan naroroon ang aking ina at mga anak, sa kabila ng pag-amin ng DILG Secretary at ng pulisya na alam nila kung nasaan ako dahil sa kanilang mga surveillance activities, ay isang seryosong usapin, lalo na kung nadadamay o naaapektuhan ang mga menor de edad. Ang mga bata ay hindi dapat ginagamit, tinatakot, o idinadamay sa panggigipit. Ito ay child abuse,” she said.

(Being in the vicinity or going to the place where my mother and children are, despite the admission of the DILG chief and the police that they know where I am because of their surveillance activities, is a serious matter, especially if the ones involved or affected are minors. Children should not be used, threatened, or get dragged for coercion. This is child abuse.)

“Mga kababayan, ang isang pamahalaang hindi gumagalang at nagpoprotekta sa mga kabataan ay nagpapakita ng kawalan ng malasakit sa kinabukasan ng ating bayan,” added Duterte, whose father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, had waged a drug war that killed thousands, including many innocent minors. (READ: ‘Far from collateral damage:’ Report shows 122 children killed in Duterte’s drug war)

(My countrymen, a government that does not respect or protect the youth shows a lack of compassion for the future of our country.)

In her statement, Duterte said she had known of an alleged “plan by Marcos” in relation to her as early as 2024, supposedly including the International Criminal Court warrant of arrest against her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, and the “attacks” against her.

2024 was the year Duterte resigned as education secretary, and effectively from the Cabinet, signaling her official breakup with Marcos. This was also the year that the House probed the alleged misuse of confidential funds by the Office of the Vice President and the Duterte-led Department of Education. – Rappler.com