Sara Duterte decries possible abuse of anti-terror law to harass her

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has accused the Marcos administration of weaponizing the Anti-Terrorism Act against her, saying the government is following the same "playbook" used against former congressman Arnolfo Teves Jr. to potentially freeze her assets and restrict her movements. 

Duterte claimed at a press conference on Wednesday, November 27, that she is being "oppressed" and harassed" through the filing of charges against her under the Anti-Terrorism Act — the most challenged law in the country that her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, signed in 2020.

"They want to cancel my passport, get me red-noticed internationally [by the Interpol] so I can't travel overseas, file anti-money laundering charges to freeze my money and properties, and issue search warrants," Duterte said in mixed English and Filipino.

This comes after the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) issued a subpoena against Duterte on Wednesday over her remarks during a profanity-laced press conference on Saturday morning. During that briefing, Duterte said she had already contracted a hitman to kill the president if an alleged kill plot against her succeeds.

The subpoena is part of the NBI's investigation of Duterte for her potential violations of Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code, which pertains to grave threats. The document for the subpoena also states Duterte is facing a potential violation of Republic Act 11479 or the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020.

The vice president said she believes the charges being eyed against her for her controversial remarks "do not hold water."  

"I find the alleged violations of the anti-terrorism law funny because they're just trying to reach my properties and assets," she said.

Duterte also drew parallels between her and Teves, who is facing charges in relation to the murder of former Negros Oriental governor Roel Degamo. 

She said she expects investigators to use the same supposed strategy of deploying "clearing teams" before search teams to allegedly plant evidence in her properties. 

"They enter houses and properties. They say they have a 'clearing team' for safety during searches. The clearing team goes first, places