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Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said he would have allowed himself to be arrested if he were in Vice President Sara Duterte’s position, following the issuance of an arrest warrant against her over three counts of grave threats.
In a Facebook post, Roque said he would have used the situation to protest what he described as abuse by the current administration.
“Kung ako si Inday Sara Duterte, magpapahuli ako. Hahalik ako sa rehas para ipakita na abusado itong presidenteng ito at gobyernong ito,” Roque said.
His accusation against the administration represented his own political characterization of the situation.
Roque served as presidential spokesperson during the administration of former President Rodrigo Duterte and has remained publicly supportive of the Duterte family.
His remarks came after Vice President Duterte posted a total of P360,000 bail for the three counts of grave threats filed against her.
Duterte said she decided to post bail after consulting her lawyers, who advised her against remaining in police custody.
“Nakipag-usap sa akin ang aking mga abogado at pinayuhan nila akong magpiyansa sa halip na manatili sa hiwalay na pagkakakulong habang nasa kustodiya ng pulisya,” the Vice President said.
According to Duterte, her lawyers believed she would be safer outside detention, where civilians could see and monitor her condition.
“Ipinaliwanag nila na mas maaari akong maprotektahan ng mga sibilyan na makakakita at makakapansin sa aking kalagayan, kumpara sa pananatili sa detensyon kung saan ako ay nakahiwalay at mas mahina ang proteksiyon,” she added.
Duterte had earlier expressed fears for her safety while appearing at the Quezon City Hall of Justice, saying, “I do not feel safe. Pakiramdam ko papatayin nila ako.”
The arrest warrant was issued in connection with three counts of grave threats stemming from Duterte’s controversial November 2024 remarks involving President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then-House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Roque, meanwhile, is facing a human trafficking case in the Philippines linked to a Philippine Offshore Gaming Operator (POGO).
He has been in the Netherlands while seeking asylum.
His former boss, former President Rodrigo Duterte, is separately being held at an International Criminal Court detention facility in The Hague.
