Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres has clarified that Vice President Sara Duterte has not been designated a terrorist by the government, rejecting claims that the administration was targeting her in connection with terrorism laws.
In a radio interview with dZBB on Thursday, November 28, Andres emphasized that the Vice President is being called to explain her recent controversial remarks, which officials have described as “threatening” and potentially dangerous.
“Hindi naman po kasi siya dine-designate as a terrorist. Wala pong ginagawang ganyan sa bise presidente. Wag po niyang pangunahan ang gobyerno. Wala pong ganyang ginagawa,” Andres said.
Andres said that the threat to commit terrorism is also punishable under the law.
The remarks came after a viral video surfaced online, showing Vice President Duterte visibly upset, speaking angrily and issuing statements that some have interpreted as threatening.
Duterte previously said that her statement that she would have Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez assassinated if she were killed was “maliciously taken out of logical context.”
“Even a threat to commit terrorism ay punishable po ‘yan and ‘yung pag harm po ng ibang tao na inaamin naman ng ating bise presidente, we have to take it in the context of all the pronouncements and everything that is happening now,” he said.
While the government has refrained from labeling her a terrorist, Andres confirmed that the Department of Justice (DOJ) had issued a subpoena to VP Duterte to provide clarity on her statements.
“Kami po ay nagpadala ng subpoena kay VP Sara para mabigyan ng pagkakataon na magbigay linaw sa kanyang mga pahayag sa kanya pong viral video kung saan galit na galit po siya, nagsasalita at nagbigay po ng banta,” Andres said.
“Kaya hindi naman kami nag huhusga. Magkakaroon po ng pagkakataon na ipapatawag namin ‘yung mga taong nararapat hingan ng pahayag. We will do it,” he added.
Andres continued, explaining that the government is concerned not only about the tone of the Vice President’s remarks but also the potential impact of the language used, given the serious legal implications under the Human Security Act of 2007, which defines terrorism and its related acts.
According to Andres, Section 4 of the Terrorism Law defines acts of terrorism as including “acts intended to cause death or serious bodily injury to any person or endangering a person’s life.” The government is investigating whether the Vice President’s remarks could be considered an act of terrorism under this provision. (TCSP)
