Duterte cites ‘child abuse’ during arrest warrant service

Vice President Sara Duterte arrives at the Quezon City Hall of Justice on Saturday, September 5, 2026, to post bail following an arrest warrant issued by Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98. The warrant stems from three counts of grave threats filed against her. INQUIRER photo by Grig C. Montegrande MANILA, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday said then Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. assured her in 2024 that her children and mother would be protected from being dragged into any action against her. Duterte made the statement after releasing a screenshot of what she described as a private message exchange with Brawner dated Feb. 7, 2024. READ: Duterte’s distrust of police needs ‘patience, understanding’ – PNP Article continues after this advertisement “Dahil ang aking seguridad ay nakaugnay sa Hukbong Sandatahan ng Pilipinas alinsunod sa constitutional line of succession, minabuti kong ipaalam sa dating Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner ang ilang mahahalagang pakiusap,” Duterte said in a statement. (Since my security is linked to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in accordance with the constitutional line of succession, I deemed it appropriate to convey certain important requests to former Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner.) “Higit sa lahat, hiniling ko na igalang at protektahan ang aking ina at mga anak, at huwag silang idamay o takutin sa kahit anumang gagawin sa akin,” she added. (Above all, I asked that my mother and children be respected and protected, and that they not be dragged into or intimidated by whatever might be done to me.) In the screenshot, Brawner purportedly assured Duterte that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “will not allow anything to happen” to her and her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. Article continues after this advertisement Brawner also supposedly told Duterte that he would inform her as soon as he learned of any arrest order against her. He likewise said that if any action were taken against her, it would be carried out “outside [the vice president’s] residence,” according to the screenshot. Article continues after this advertisement Duterte, for her part, responded that she was “not worried” and was simply going through what was in her “task list.” READ: Duterte tridal Day 22: PSA official to testify on CF payees “‘Yung important No. 2, huwag lang kung nasaan mga anak ko at nanay ko. Sabihan I[a]ng lahat hanapin ako sa labas,” she added. (As for the important No. 2 matter—just not where my children and my mother are. Just tell everyone to look for me outside.) Duterte said the act of authorities going to or even just approaching the location where both her children and her mother were “is a serious matter.” “Lalo na kung nadadamay o naaapektuhan ang mga menor de edad. Ang mga bata ay hindi dapat ginagamit, tinatakot, o idinadamay sa panggigipit. Ito ay child abuse,” she said. (Especially when minors are involved or affected. Children should not be used, intimidated, or dragged into acts of harassment or coercion. This constitutes child abuse.) She stressed that a government that fails to respect and protect the youth demonstrates a lack of concern for the country’s future. Duterte first mentioned her children being affected by the arrest warrant against her on Saturday, when she posted bail for the three counts of grave threats filed against her. The Inquirer has sought comment from the Department of Interior and the Local Government but has yet to receive a response as of posting. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. Reporters were also seeking Brawner’s comment, but he had yet to respond./dp