By Darryl John Esguerra | March 13, 2025

MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) said maximum tolerance was observed during the arrest of former President Rodrigo Duterte, despite the intense verbal confrontations and physical altercations that occurred during the operation.

In a panel discussion in Malacañang Thursday, PNP spokesperson Police Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the officers deployed in the arrest did not retaliate, despite being subjected to harsh language and even physical assault by members of Duterte’s family.

“Sabi ko nga kung mayroon pang mas mataas sa maximum tolerance, iyon po iyong ipinatupad natin. Kahit minura na tayo, dinuro na tayo. In fact, iyong mga pulis natin doon ay pinagmumura din at pinagsabihan ng masasakit na salita (Like I said, if there was anything higher than maximum tolerance, that’s what we implemented. Even though we were cursed at, we were taunted. In fact, our police officers there were also cursed at and were told harsh words),” Fajardo said.

She said a female Special Action Force (SAF) personnel received medical attention amid swelling on her forehead after Duterte’s common law wife, Honeylet Avanceña, allegedly hit her with a cellphone amid tension over the ex-leader’s arrest on Tuesday.

PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Major General Nicolas Torre III, who led the arrest, was also at the receiving end of cursing from Duterte’s daughter, Veronica.

“Makapal ang ating balat at iyan ay kayang-kaya nating palagpasin iyan (Our skin is thick and we can easily let it pass),” he said.

Honeylet and Veronica were with Duterte when the arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court (ICC) was served by the Interpol and local police force.

Torre also said not one of the police officers deployed to assist in the arrest touched the former leader.

“From start to finish not one of our people touched (former president Duterte), I didn’t allow it. The only people who touch him are his bodyguards,” he said.

The ICC has been investigating Duterte for crimes against humanity due to summary killings allegedly committed in his war on drugs during his time as Davao City mayor and president of the country. (PNA)