Palace denies Sara Duterte’s claim on plan to ‘attack’ her

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 / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE) MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Monday refuted statements made by Vice President Sara Duterte that she had received information back in 2024 regarding President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s alleged plans to “attack” her and issue an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant against her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte. At a briefing, Palace Press Officer Claire Castro denied Duterte’s statement, saying there was no evidence to prove it. READ: Sara Duterte faces impeachment, criminal case, but ‘no double jeopardy’ Article continues after this advertisement Castro also said there are no records that substantiate the vice president’s statement. In a statement posted on her social media account earlier, Duterte said that since her security is linked to the Armed Forces of the Philippines in accordance with the constitutional line of succession, she deemed it necessary 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,” the statement read. (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.) “Ang paglapit o pagpunta sa lugar kung saan naroroon ang aking ina at mga anak, sa kabila ng pag-amin ng DILG Secretary at ng pulisya na alam nila kung nasaan ako dahil sa kanilang mga surveillance activities, ay isang seryosong usapin, 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,” Duerte also said. Article continues after this advertisement (Approaching or going to the location where my mother and children are—despite the admission by the DILG Secretary and the police that they knew my whereabouts through their surveillance activities—is a serious matter, especially when minors are implicated or affected. Children should not be used, intimidated, or dragged into harassment. This constitutes child abuse.) Duterte said a government that does not respect and protect the youth demonstrates a lack of concern for the future of the country. /gsg Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful.