DOJ: Duterte’s call to AFP ‘bordering on sedition’

MANILA, Philippines — An official of the Department of Justice described as “bordering on sedition” the statements of former president Rodrigo Duterte – who called on the military to “rethink” their support for President Marcos – and his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte that she had contracted a hitman to take out Marcos.

In an interview Tuesday with “Storycon” on One News, DOJ Undersecretary and National Prosecution Services head Jesse Andres said the agency is conducting a thorough review of the video recording of the Dutertes, where they made their respective incendiary statements.

“We are studying closely the statements. But it is bordering on sedition because of the tirade against the President. His (alleged) inability to lead are all matters within the bounds of possible sedition,” Andres said.

“But we will cross the bridge when we get there. The investigation will have to be done,” he added.

Andres said it was not the first time that the former president alleged that Marcos had a drug habit.

He added that Sara’s “kill” threat against the President, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez if she gets killed indicates “revenge.”

“The reaction to kill as a revenge or to have a people power is not a rule of law. There are legal remedies to that,” Andres explained, adding that “protected speech” has limitations.

“The protected speech has limitations to clear and present danger; you have to understand that it should be only the presence of, but all contemporaneous act. We will also include those past statements (of Rodrigo). We will tie that up to understand the context of the statement and if that crosses the line, we have to deal with it based on the existing laws,” Andres said.

The justice official urged Sara to cooperate and come to the DOJ for the investigation to be conducted by the agency.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will also investigate Sara’s allegations of threats to her life.

“The NBI also is tasked by law to investigate if there is any threat to the Vice President because she is also a high government official,” Andres said.

The NBI or the Philippine National Police (PNP) has yet to receive intelligence