QC prosecutor dismisses assault raps vs VP Sara Duterte

The Quezon City Prosecutor's Office has dismissed the assault complaint filed against Vice President Sara Duterte, stemming from the alleged forced transfer of her aide, Zuleika Lopez, to a hospital.

The complaint, filed by the Quezon City Police District, accused Duterte, her security chief, and others of direct assault, disobedience to authority, and grave coercion.

The incident occurred when Zuleika Lopez, chief of staff of the Office of the Vice President (OVP), was reportedly ordered to be transferred to the Correctional Institute for Women while the House of Representatives was investigating the OVP's fund utilization.

Police claimed that videos indicated Duterte's security head, Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, physically assaulted Police Dr. Lt. Gen. Van Jason Villamor during the transfer.

However, the prosecutor's resolution stated that there was insufficient evidence to indict Duterte and Lachica for the charges.