Duterte Faces Sedition Charges Over Threat to Senators: A Nation Divided
Former President Rodrigo Duterte finds himself embroiled in another controversy, this time facing criminal charges for inciting sedition stemming from threatening remarks directed at Philippine senators. The case, spearheaded by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) under the leadership of Major General Nicolas Torre III, has ignited a fierce debate across the country, dividing public opinion and raising questions about accountability for past actions.
Torre, in a significant development, stated that charges were filed against Duterte based on comments made during a campaign rally where the former president allegedly stated, "What if someone does that (kill 15 senators), is he going to say he’ll take responsibility for it?" This statement, coupled with Duterte’s past pronouncements regarding police officers carrying out his orders, including the controversial promise to protect them in the wake of the Kian delos Santos killing, formed the basis for the sedition complaint.
Torre emphasized the paramount importance of holding Duterte accountable for his words, which he believes incited violence and threatened the democratic process. He highlighted the tragic case of 17-year-old delos Santos, who was killed by police during a drug operation in 2017. “Kian delos Santos died," Torre questioned, "Police officers were convicted. What happened to his promise that he’ll take care of it?”
Adding fuel to the fire, Torre also cited Duterte’s controversial remarks regarding soldiers’ alleged impunity regarding rape, stating, “Duterte said soldiers can rape women with impunity.”
While no senator has formally lodged a complaint, Torre revealed that the CIDG is prepared to assist them should they choose to do so.
However, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has taken a different stance. Director Jaime Santiago announced that without a formal complaint filed by a senator, the agency will not initiate an investigation. Santiago argued that the NBI requires a victim to trigger the probe, while expressing skepticism about the threat’s seriousness and suggesting that Duterte’s comments might have been intended as a joke.
Adding to the complexity, former police chief Ronald dela Rosa, a key figure in Duterte’s notorious drug war, urged the CIDG to drop the charges, labeling them unnecessary and dismissing Duterte’s statements as harmless jokes. He argued that if Duterte truly intended harm, he wouldn’t have made his threats public.
Representative Zia Adiong, however, refutes this notion, emphasizing that Duterte’s statements should not be normalized and demanding a thorough investigation by the NBI.
Senator Imee Marcos, meanwhile, downplayed the threat, stating that she "is not afraid or threatened" by Duterte’s remarks, citing her familiarity with his "Davao trash talk."
This unprecedented situation involving a former president facing charges for threatening public officials exemplifies the ongoing tension surrounding Duterte’s legacy and the enduring complexities of accountability for incendiary rhetoric. The nation watches with bated breath as the legal process unfolds, questioning what it means for the future of Philippine democracy.