A POLICE doctor filed complaints on Wednesday, November 27, 2024, against Vice President Sara Duterte and three others following a commotion during the transfer of Undersecretary Zuleika Lopez from the House of Representatives Detention Center to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) over the weekend.
Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Van Jason Villamor filed before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office a complaint against Duterte; Colonel Raymund Lachica, head of the Vice President Security Protection Group (VPSPG); and two other John Does, over the alleged violation of Article 148 of the Revised Penal Code, or direct assault; Article 151 of RPC, or disobedience to authority; and Article 286 of the RPC, or grave coercion.
In a press conference Wednesday, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo showed a video footage where Duterte and Lachica were seen pushing Villamor, denying him to fulfill the order of the House of Representatives to accompany Lopez’s transfer to the VMMC.
“Si Dr. Jason Villamor, pulis siya na naka assign sa QCPD. He was specifically instructed to assist the patient at dalhin siya personally doon sa Veterans Hospital. However, tinulak siya ng mismong security ni VP Sara, si Col. Lachica, at we cannot let this pass. This is obviously can qualify to a case of direct assault. In fact, puwede itong masabi na qualified direct assault because he is also a public officer,” she said.
“Malinaw sa ating mga batas na kung ikaw ay public officer and you lay hands against agents of a person of authority, whose presence there is by virtue of his performance of his official duty. He was directed to assist the patient and yet he received some cursing but he exercised self-restraint at hindi pumatol but you can see in the video na tinulak siya mismo,” she added.
Lopez was detained at the House of Representatives facility after being cited in contempt by the House committee on good government and public accountability over alleged “undue interference” on November 20, amid its ongoing investigation on the alleged irregularities in the use of funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
Citing security concerns after Duterte spent a night at the House of Representatives building to accompany Lopez, who is her chief of staff, the panel has ordered her transfer to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.
Lopez then went hysterical and later felt ill, prompting authorities to bring her to a hospital.
However, instead of being brought to VMMC as ordered by the House panel, Lopez, through a privately rented ambulance, was brought to St. Luke’s Medical Center, accompanied by Duterte.
Lopez was later transferred to VMMC.
In a statement, PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil said he has formally requested Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief General Romeo Brawner for the identities of VPSPG personnel who reportedly assisted in the “forced transfer of Atty. Lopez from the VMMC to St. Luke’s Medical Center using a private ambulance that they hired.”
“In a video that surfaced, VPSPG head, Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica, was seen physically pushing and assaulting the PNP doctor-in-charge, which could lead to a direct assault complaint,” said Marbil.
“The rule of law is fundamental to our democratic system. No one, regardless of their position, should be above accountability. The PNP remains committed to ensuring the proper execution of lawful orders and protecting public order,” he added.
Marbil urged everyone to respect legal processes and cooperate with authorities.
“As public servants, it is our duty to uphold the law and set an example. Resistance and disobedience to a person in authority not only violates the law but also undermines public trust,” he said.
But he assured the public of an impartial and thorough investigation.
“We will ensure that due process is followed, and the law is enforced without bias…Let this serve as a reminder that justice must prevail, and no one is above the law,” Marbil added.
The top cop reiterated the PNP’s commitment to cooperating fully with legislative and judicial authorities to address the matter and ensure accountability.
He also urged the public to remain vigilant in protecting democratic principles and the integrity of governance.
Duterte is in hot water for cursing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife First Lady Liza Araneta, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez and revealing that she already talked to someone to hunt them down and kill them should she be killed first.
Authorities are looking into the Vice President’s liabilities for her actions. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)
