Vice President Duterte Threatens to Kill President Marcos, First Lady, and Speaker Romualdez if She is Assassinated

Nov 23, 2024, 05:40 PM

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has publicly threatened to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez assassinated if she herself is killed. In an early morning virtual press conference on November 23, 2024, Duterte stated that she had "contracted an assassin" to target the trio should anything happen to her, saying, "If I get killed, go kill BBM, Liza Araneta, and Speaker Martin Romualdez." The Presidential Communications Office responded by stating that "any threat to the life of the President must always be taken seriously, more so that this threat has been publicly revealed in clear and certain terms." Security protocols have been tightened, with the Presidential Security Command (PSC) expected to act immediately on the "active threat" against the President and First Lady. National Security Adviser Eduardo Año described the matter as a "national security issue" and vowed to investigate the threat and possible perpetrators. The Philippine National Police chief has ordered an investigation into the matter. The unusual public threat highlights a deepening rift between two of the country's most powerful political families. Duterte, daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has previously expressed concerns about her personal safety, alleging that her life is in danger. The government is coordinating with law enforcement and intelligence communities to address the situation.