Malacañang said on Monday that it has not received any reports of threats against the life of former president Rodrigo R. Duterte.

Presidential Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro responded to claims made by Vice President Sara Duterte that her father is in danger. Castro’s statement clarified that he continues to be in the International Criminal Court (ICC) custody in The Hague.

“Iyon nga po nakakapagtaka eh. Saan po ba nakukuha itong mga kuwento na ganito? Saan po nakukuha ang pagkukumpara kay dating (Sen.) Ninoy Aquino? Saan nakukuha iyong mga threats,” Castro asked.

“Wala pong katotohanan iyan,” Castro said when asked pointedly whether Duterte is in imminent danger.

Castro said that even the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) had not received the supposed death threats against the Vice President’s life.

“Hanggang ngayon iyong sinasabing threats kay VP Sara, hindi pa rin po naipapakita sa NBI at saka sa PNP (Philippine National Police),” Castro said. “Kailangan po natin kasi na mga materyales, na mga ebidensiya bago po magsagawa ng ganitong mga klaseng statements.”

Duterte was taken into custody by the ICC on March 11, following an arrest warrant issued by the ICC and executed by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol).

The former leader was flown to the ICC Headquarters at The Hague, where he is currently awaiting trial for crimes against humanity, specifically the killings that occurred during his administration’s war on illegal drugs.

The younger Duterte warned that her father could face the same fate as the late Sen. Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr., who was assassinated on the tarmac of what was then known as Manila International Airport, now Ninoy Aquino International Airport, when he insisted on coming home on August 21, 1983. | PND