Manila: The police and the military should remain 'apolitical' and refrain from becoming entangled in issues surrounding the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte, Malaca±ang emphasized on Tuesday. In a Palace press briefing, Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro concurred with Senate President Francis Escudero, highlighting that uniformed services need not be involved in such controversies.
According to Philippines News Agency, Castro expressed agreement with Escudero's stance, asserting that public servants should maintain neutrality and avoid being drawn into personal matters, particularly those involving the Duterte family. Castro stated, "Tama naman po (It's right). The public servants should be apolitical, they should not be dragged over this personal issues specially of the Dutertes."
Castro further elaborated that the military and police should not be summoned merely to accommodate the demands of specific individuals or families. "Hindi po natin dapat kalampagin, laging tawagin ang militar, ang mga kapulisan para lamang pagbigyan ang kahilingan ng isang partikular na tao o isang partikular na pamilya," she added. Castro emphasized that the military and police are tasked with serving the people, not just the Duterte family.
This statement comes in response to Vice President Sara Duterte's criticism of the military for not intervening to prevent the arrest of her father, who faces crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court due to the deaths linked to his anti-drug campaign. On Monday, Escudero reiterated that the military and police should uphold neutrality in fulfilling their national duties.
In a related incident, Castro addressed the bomb scare that disrupted operations at the Office of the Vice President (OVP) on Monday. She remarked on the ease with which bomb threat stories can be fabricated. "Ito po tayo ulit. Saan na naman po ito nakuha na pagbibintang? Threat, bomb threat sa office ng OVP ng Vice President? Ano po ang isinagawa nila? Kung iyan naman po ay nanggaling sa kanila, ano po ang nangyari?" Castro queried, urging for transparency and details regarding the alleged threat.
The OVP had reportedly received a text message warning of a bomb threat, leading to an immediate evacuation to a secured area at Robinsons Cybergate Plaza in Mandaluyong. Despite the dispatch of an Explosive Ordnance Disposal team by the Mandaluyong City Police Office, no explosive devices were discovered.
