VP Duterte says links to 'Tokhang' part of a script

Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte speaks to reporters in San Pedro City, Laguna on Dec. 1, 2022. Arra Perez, ABS-CBN News

Vice President Sara Duterte lambasted the allegation linking her to "Oplan Tokhang" during her term as Davao City mayor.

This was her reaction when self-confessed former Davao Death Squad (DDS) hitman Arturo Lascañas implicated Duterte to the "tokhang" killings by the vigilante group in Davao City.

"Ayon sa isang nagpakilalang testigo, may kinalaman umano ako sa Oplan Tokhang, sa Davao Death Squad, at sa mga insidente ng pagpatay o extrajudicial killings sa Davao," she said in a statement posted on her social media pages.

 "Bago ang script na ito."

Ex-cop says VP Duterte approved 'tokhang' as Davao mayor

Duterte noted she has never been linked to extrajudicial killings during her time as a local official, saying Lascanas' claim was only meant to link her to the investigations being done by the International Criminal Court on EJKs.

"Bigla na lang nagkaroon ng testigo laban sa akin nang mahalal ako na Vice President. At kabilang na nga ako ngayon sa mga akusado sa International Criminal Court," said Duterte.

 "Maliban sa tiyempo, malinaw na sadyang pinilit lang na maidugtong ang pangalan ko sa isyung ito para ako maging akusado sa ICC."

Lascañas, a retired policeman, claimed that Duterte's father, former President Rodrigo Duterte was the brains, behind the notorious Oplan Tokhang, that was implemented by Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa when he was still Davao City's police chief. 

The Vice President maintained the ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines.

VP Duterte denies involvement in ‘Davao Death Squad’

"Ang pagpupumilit ng ICC na pakialaman ang ating hudikatura ay panghihimasok sa ating soberanya. Paglapastangan ito sa dignidad ng mga Pilipino at sa karangalan ng Pilipinas," she said.

 "Wala na itong debate, sa testigo at mga tao na nakapalikod sa kanya magfile kayo ng kasong murder laban sa akin dito sa Pilipinas."

DUTERTE CRITIC SEEKS HOUSE PROBE

Meanwhile, a lawmaker from the House of Representatives said claims that the Vice President had a hand in "Oplan Tokhang" should be investigated.

House leaders deny ganging up on Sara Duterte, say no impeachment talks

Lascañas earlier said the younger Duterte masterminded the killings to continue when she was Davao City mayor in 2012.

House Deputy Minority Leader France Castro said she is in talks with her colleagues in the Makabayan bloc over possible filing of a resolution to probe Duterte's links to Tokhang.

"Kapag nag-file na kami ng resolutions o mag-imbestiga ang Kongreso wala siyang choice kasi in aid of legislation naman... Tingnan natin hanggang saan natin mapu-push or hanggang saan yung powers ng Kongreso para mapa-attend itong si Vice President Sara Duterte," said Castro

Castro says she was shocked by Lascañas' claims.

"Kaya ako nananawagan ako na pag-aaralan natin yung resolution na maimbestigahan itong involvement ni Vice President Sara Duterte doon sa mga extra judicial killings nung siya pa ay mayor ng Davao City. Very serious ito na may ganoong allegations at gusto nating maimbestigahan," she said.