Sara's threat to have Marcos, Romualdez assassinated referred to PSC

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Saturday said that threats made by Vice President Sara Duterte against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has been referred to the Presidential Security Command (PSC) for immediate proper action.

"Acting on the Vice President’s clear and unequivocal statement that she had contracted an assassin to kill the President if an alleged plot against her succeeds, the Executive Secretary has referred this active threat to the Presidential Security Command for immediate proper action," the Palace said in a statement.

"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," it added.

In a statement later in the day, the PSC said it has implemented tighter security measures in the wake of the Vice President's supposed threat, which it considers a "matter of national security."

"Pursuant to the directive of the Executive Secretary, the Presidential Security Command (PSC) has heightened and strengthened its security protocols. We are also closely coordinating with law enforcement agencies to detect, deter, and defend against any and all threats to the President and the First Family," the PSC said.

"Any threat to the life of the President and the First Family, regardless of its origin—and especially one made so brazenly in public—is treated with the utmost seriousness. We consider this a matter of national security and shall take all necessary measures to ensure the President's safety," it added.

For its part, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said it would also investigate Duterte's claims.

''The PNP Chief, Police General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, has directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to conduct a thorough and immediate investigation into this issue. The safety of the President is a national concern and any direct or indirect threat to his life must be addressed with the highest level of urgency,'' the PNP said in a statement.

''We assure the public that the PNP will work diligently to ensure the safety of all concerned and will take the necessary legal actions in accordance with the law. The PNP remains committed to upholding public safety and maintaining peace across the nation.''

Speaking to reporters, Duterte clarified that her statement was not a threat.

Duterte said she only highlighted the alleged threat to her security.

"Hindi naman yata mahina 'yung volume noong Zoom press conference. Sinabi ko, 'Kung mamatay ako.' Ibig sabihin in the first place, meron nang threat sa akin (I don't think the volume was low during the Zoom press conference. I said, 'If I die.' That means in the first place, there was a threat against me). But they simply do not care that I am also concerned about my security because I hear things," Duterte said in a ''24 Oras Weekend'' report by Jonathan Andal.

The vice president compared her remarks to her earlier declaration that, should attacks against her continue, she would excavate the remains of former president Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and throw them in the West Philippine Sea.

"It's the same as 'Itapon ang bangkay sa West Philippine Sea (Throw the body in the West Philippine Sea)...' which was... talking about doing it is not actionable," she added.

Duterte claimed earlier contracting an assassin should anything bad happen to her.

'Wag kang mag-alala sa security ko kasi may kinausap na ako na tao. Sinabi ko sa kanya, 'pag pinatay ako, patayin mo si BBM, si Liza Araneta, at si Martin Romualdez," Duterte said during a press conference.

“Nagbilin na ako, Ma’am. ‘Pag namatay ako, wag ka tumigil hanggang hindi mo mapapatay sila. And then he said yes,” the Vice President said in response to reporters' questions during the media briefing.

The press conference was held after the House of Representatives on Friday night ordered Lopez's transfer from the House detention facility to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City. But Lopez reported feeling unwell, and she is currently at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center. 

Duterte claimed that the planned transfer was an “attempted homicide.”

Lopez was ordered detained at the lower chamber after she was cited in contempt for her supposed "undue interference" in the panel’s investigation into the confidential funds of offices held by Duterte.

The detention is until Nov. 25, the date of the committee's next hearing on the disbursement of confidential funds by the OVP and the Department of Education under Duterte.

Duterte has blamed Marcos and his cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez for Lopez's ordeal. 

“All because we are in this f**** farce… All because gusto ni Martin mag president,” the Vice President said, referring to the House Speaker.

The Vice President also described the ongoing probe as a “waste of time.”

“Hindi siya ma-control ng Presidente natin na hindi marunong magdesisyon. Walang desisyon making skills at all, zero,” Duterte said.

“We are wasting time as a country on what we need to do… Fishing for evidence so that we can demolish a family that is a threat to our personal gain,” she added.

The Vice President further said that the government should rather be “working on being competitive, jumping to middle income, aspiring to be a first world economy.”

“We made a mistake with that f**** Marcos… and we are wasting time,” Duterte said.

Marcos was Duterte's running mate in the 2022 polls. The two, however, had a falling out earlier this year.

READ: Uniteam no more: Timeline of Marcos-Duterte tandem's woes

Meanwhile, House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong called for heightened security measures to protect the President, the First Lady, and the Speaker.

Ang Pangulo at ang Speaker ay mahalagang haligi ng ating demokrasya. Anumang banta laban sa kanila ay banta rin sa seguridad ng ating bansa. It is imperative that we ensure their safety at all costs,” Adiong said.

He also called the Vice President’s tirades “reckless and destabilizing.” 

“This rhetoric is deeply irresponsible and deeply troubling. We do not want these kinds of threats to be directed against anyone, not to the sitting President, the Speaker or even to the Vice President herself," said Adiong.

"We must take these threats seriously and provide heightened security for the President, the First Lady, and the Speaker,” the lawmaker said.

The League of Municipalities of the Philippines also condemned Duterte’s statements and expressed support for President Marcos.

They stated that Duterte's tirades “endanger[ed] democracy” and asked leaders to exercise restraint and accountability ''in their words and actions.''

“Leadership demands a higher standard of conduct that prioritizes the welfare of the Filipinos above personal or political interests… We reject any threats of violence or actions that may undermine the safety and stability of our nation,” the statement read.

They also called on fellow public servants and the Filipino people to rally behind President Marcos. —with Jiselle Anne Casucian/VAL/VBL/VDV, GMA Integrated News