CIDG Chief Nicholas Torre Speaks on Unlawful Utterances Complaint vs. Duterte
CIDG Chief Nicholas Torre filed inciting to sedition and unlawful utterances complaints against former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
Recently, another remark of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte has caught the attention of countless Filipinos including politicians. The said statement was made by the former Chief Executive at the proclamation rally of the PDP-Laban.
Former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte attended the proclamation rally of PDP-Laban which supports the senatorial bids of nine (9) candidates. His daughter, Vice Pres. Sara Duterte who is currently faced with an impeachment verdict by the House of Representative, and son Davao City Mayor Baste Duterte were also at the event.
The senatorial bid of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, a close friend of former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte, is one of those endorsed by the PDP-Laban. Here are the senatorial bets of the political party:
- Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa
- detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) founder Apollo Quiboloy
- Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go
- ex-presidential adviser for Northern Luzon Raul Lambino
- musician and lawyer Jimmy Bondoc
- SAGIP party-list Rep. Rodante Marcoleta
- former Interior Undersecretary Jayvee Hinlo
- former executive secretary Vic Rodriguez
- actor Philip Salvador
At the proclamation rally, former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte spoke about allegedly eliminating 15 senators so their spots will be vacant and it can be filled by their party’s senatorial bets. The said statement earned different reactions from the people.
Sen. Bato dela Rosa believes that Duterte’s remark is clearly a “joke”. He stressed that it is the nature of the former Chief Executive to speak things that can spark laughter among the audience.
Amid the defense of Dela Rosa on the controversial remark, police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Major General Nicholas Torre filed inciting to sedition and unlawful utterances complaints against former Pres. Rodrigo Roa Duterte at the Department of Justice.
Torre stressed that the action of issuing such kind of statements then, later on, tagging them as a joke must no longer be allowed. Based on a report on ABS-CBN News, the CIDG Chief claimed that the supporters of the former President may blindly follow it.
“Maliit lang tingnan iyan pero being uttered by a former President, ay hindi malayong gayahin or will be taken seriously by his blind supporters,” Torre said.
The CIDG Chief recognized that the PNP-CIDG knows that Duterte speaks a colorful language but it must not be allowed anymore under a “Bagong Pilipinas”. Based on the report, he stressed that his move is beyond politics as the statement allegedly clearly violates a number of laws.
“Bagong Pilipinas na eh, hindi na pwede yung mga ganung statements na kinaumagahan joke only na lang kaya… ang gulo-gulo na nga ng pinagdaanan ng bansa natin in the past 6 years,” Torre said.
Former Pres. Duterte has yet to issue a statement. Pres. Bongbong Marcos also seemingly reacted to Duterte’s remark against 15 senators.