Roque: 78-year-old Duterte incapable of killing

Former presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday defended former President Rodrigo Duterte amid the grave threat complaint filed against him by House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro.

In a television interview, Roque said Duterte is not in a position to kill someone.

"For it, there has to be a clear and present danger. Mere utterances themselves should not be criminal," Roque, a lawyer and Duterte's spokesperson during his term, told ANC. 

"There has to be the ability to carry it (killing) out. I don't know if a 78-year-old former president is in a position to carry that out," he added.

Roque also said he doubts prosecutors "can be convinced that there is in fact a clear and present danger emanating from the words uttered by" Duterte.

Castro filed the complaint against Duterte after the tough-talking former leader said on national TV that he wanted to kill communists and accused Castro of being one.

The Office of the City Prosecutor of Quezon City on Wednesday issued a subpoena to Duterte directing him to personally appear before the said office to answer Castro's complaint on December 4 and 11 at 2:30 p.m.

Castro, who represents ACT Teachers party-list in the House of Representatives, has welcomed the issuance of the subpoena to Duterte by Senior Assistant Prosecutor Ulric Badiola.

"I am glad that the case is progressing and I hope that former Pres. Duterte will face the charges and participate in the preliminary investigation," Castro said. —KBK, GMA Integrated News