QC prosecutor's office summons ex-President Duterte over grave threat raps

MANILA, Philippines — The Quezon City prosecutor's office (QCPO) asked former President Rodrigo Duterte to respond to the cybercrime charges filed against him by Rep. France Castro (ACT-Teachers).

In a subpoena released by the QCPO on Wednesday, Duterte has been asked to submit a counter-affidavit and was required to appear before the office of the city prosecutor on December 4 and 11, 2023. 

This was the first time a summon was issued to Duterte since he stepped down from office.

On October 24, Castro filed grave threat complaint, covered under the Cybercrime Prevention Act and the Revised Penal Code, against Duterte. This was in response to his death threats against the lawmaker that aired on Sonshine Media Network International.

In the October 10 episode, Duterte said Castro was the “first target” of her daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte's confidential funds. 

Castro’s legal counsel, Tony La Viña last October 24 said that if convicted, Duterte will face a one-degree higher penalty due to the Cybercrime Prevention Act. 

After he stepped down from office on June 30, 2022, Duterte's presidential immunity has lapsed. 

On October 15, House parties, including Duterte's former party, requested the former president to cease making death threats and implying harm towards any member of the House of Representatives.

The QCPO's subpoena was issued on October 27 but was only publicly released on November 15.