VP Sara on terrorism probe: They want to reach my assets

Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday said the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) probe into the possible violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act was meant to access her assets and properties. 

“Natatawa ako sa violations on the anti-terror law kasi sinusuukan nila to reach sa aking properties and assets,” Duterte said in a press conference.

(I find the violation of the anti-terrorism law funny since they’re trying to access my properties and assets.)

The Vice President said this is the same thing that was done to suspended Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo “Arnie” Teves Jr.

In 2023, the Anti-Terrorism Council designated Teves and 12 others as terrorists, citing several alleged killings and harassment in Negros Oriental. 

Teves was tagged as the mastermind behind the attack on the late Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo on March 4, where the governor was killed.

“Kasi itong violation na ito ng anti-terrorism law ginawa nila ito kay (violations of the anti-terrorism law ware also given to) Congressman Arnie Teves so they have a playbook on what you do to a person na kakasuhan mo ng anti-terrorism,” Duterte said.

Duterte said the passport of a person facing charges for violating the anti-terrorism law would be canceled. They would also be put on the Interpol red notice and face Anti-Money Laundering violation charges.

“Ifre-freeze nila yung pera at properties mo. Hindi ka makakagasto ng pera at hindi ka makakapasok sa properties mo,” the Vice President said.

(They would freeze your money and properties. You would not be able to spend or enter your properties.)

She added that a search warrant would also be issued to enter the properties and could plant firearms and illegal drugs to be used as evidence against the accused.

“This is clearly oppression and harassment for remarks na pinipilit nila (that they force) to take it out its logical context,” Duterte said.

“Yung grave assault, I believe pipilit nilang talaga gawan ng kaso yung mga remarks ko (With regards to the grave assault, I believe they are doing what they can to file charges against my remarks),” she added.

The NBI served the subpoena to Duterte to explain her remarks against the President, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez. 

The Vice President is to be investigated for alleged Grave Threats and possible violations of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

In a video, the Vice President said she would have Marcos, the First Lady, and Romualdez assassinated if she were killed.

Her remarks were made during a virtual press conference where the younger Duterte slammed the House of Representatives’ order to transfer her chief of staff, Atty. Zuleika Lopez, from the House detention facility to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City. 

Duterte had clarified that her assassination statement was not implied as a threat.