PNP Seeks 'Patience, Understanding' Amid VP Duterte's Distrust of Police

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said Vice President Sara Duterte’s distrust of law enforcement needs “patience and understanding,” while assuring her that the police force remains committed to lawful, professional and impartial operations. “We understand the Vice President’s concerns, but I assure her that the PNP remains committed to lawful, professional and impartial police operations,” PNP chief, Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., said in a statement. “[Her] statement was made under a situation that needs patience and understanding,” he added. READ: Palace assures Sara Duterte police won’t harm her Duterte had publicly said that she did not trust the police, and raised security concerns, alleging that law enforcers had harassed her family. She made the statements after the Quezon City Regional Trial Court issued a warrant for her arrest over grave threats last Friday. Duterte went to the court on Saturday and spoke with her lawyers before posting a P360,000 bail for her conditional liberty. Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously denied that the PNP had harassed Duterte’s family, maintaining that officers had treated her with respect, worn body cameras and refrained from serving the warrant on Friday as she was expected to post bail. “Our focus is always on maintaining peace and order, and police actions are always guided by our duty to protect,” Nartatez said. “There were numerous stories of hard work and dedication, including some policemen making an ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, that could speak for the dedication and professionalism of the police,” he added. The top cop also directed the national police force to verify the purported threats against Duterte and to continue monitoring any potential security concerns./dp