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Rep. Paolo Duterte (Davao City, 1st District)
Facebook.com / Pulong Duterte Official
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday denied releasing any closed-circuit television footage or affidavit related to an altercation allegedly involving Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte at a bar in Davao City.
In a statement, the PNP said it “categorically clarifies that it does not have custody of any CCTV footage allegedly linked to the recent altercation” and that the circulating videos “did not originate from the PNP, nor were they obtained or released by any PNP unit or personnel.”
The PNP also denied involvement in the public circulation of an affidavit allegedly filed by a complainant, saying the document “was not released by the police, and the PNP has no official role in its dissemination.”
The PNP emphasized that the case has already been filed before the Department of Justice, and any inquiries on its merits should be directed to the DOJ or the office handling the complaint.
“In line with its mandate, the PNP remains ready to extend assistance or coordination when officially requested by competent authorities,” the statement read.
“However, the organization urges the public to exercise caution and responsibility in sharing unverified information online,” it added.
Meanwhile, the DOJ has yet to determine if there is sufficient evidence against Duterte.
“An evaluation will be done and if the evidence is sufficient a preliminary investigation will be conducted,” DOJ-National Prosecution Service Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said.
“I do not know what attachments are included in the complaint as the records are with the Task Force chairperson for assignment,” he added.
The DOJ only received a copy of the complaint on Friday, reportedly filed by 37-year-old businessman Kristone John Patria, a resident of Davao City.
According to reports, Patria claimed that Duterte physically assaulted and attempted to stab him with a knife inside the Hearsay Gastropub Bar on Feb. 23.
Speaking to constituents in Davao City, Duterte impliedly admitted to the contents of the video, but clarified it was a long time ago.
“It’s okay. The decision rests with you on who will you choose as congressman of the first district,” he said in Filipino.
Demolition job?
For Vice President Sara Duterte, the criminal complaint filed against her brother is part of a broader political smear campaign allegedly orchestrated by the Marcos administration.
“Every time they (Marcoses) encounter an issue – a big issue of their own doing – the way they cover up these issues is by attacking their political rivals,” she told reporters in Zamboanga City on Saturday.
The Vice President said she has yet to speak to her brother about the issue and has no clue whether news of it has reached their father, detained former president Rodrigo Duterte.
Prostitution?
Meanwhile, Gabriela women’s party expressed alarm over reports that women were prostituted during a private event where Paolo allegedly had a scuffle with “a pimp.”
“Disturbingly, there remains no known investigation into the possible abuse and exploitation of women at the said event,” Gabriela secretary-general Clarice Palce said in a statement. — Mark Ernest Villeza, Evelyn Macairan, Neil Jayson Servallos,
