Ridon calls out PNP for double standard in arrest of journalist Lustre

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Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon on Monday called out the Philippine National Police (PNP) for an alleged double standard in the arrest of veteran journalist Philip Lustre when the police never attempted to arrest Vice President Sara Duterte on grave threat charges.

“With specific emphasis on the case of Philip Lustre, it basically also reflects as to the manner by which the PNP had been implementing various arrest orders on different personalities. The double standard of the non-arrest of the Vice President is clearly at play on the arrest of Philip Lustre,” Ridon said in a press conference.

The grave threat charges was filed by the Department of Justice against the Vice President over the latter’s supposed threat to kill President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., his wife Liza Marcos, and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez.

“There are questions today as to why in-implement ho 'yung Philip Lustre arrest [while] back then, hindi inimplement iyong Sara Duterte arrest when in fact we are talking about the same available offenses over the weekend. The Philippine National Police should clarify today: Bakit po inaresto si Philip Lustre samantalang hindi po inaresto ang atin pong Pangalawang Pangulo?” Ridon said.

(Why was Lustre arrested while the Vice President was not.)

“We are talking about the bailable offense of libel and the bailable offense of grave threats. What is the distinction that the Philippine National Police had implemented on both of these case? The police should explain their actions to the journalists and the Filipino people, why arrest a journalist who is being of service to the nation,” he added.

GMA News Online reached out to Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla for comment on the matter and will publish it once available.

The PNP is under the supervision of the DILG.

When the warrant of arrest for grave threat charges was issued against the Vice President, Remulla said arresting Duterte on site will paint her as a victim. —AOL, GMA News