Sara Duterte: 'Assassination' remark vs Marcos not a threat

Vice President Sara Duterte clarified on Saturday that her statement that she would have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Speaker Martin Romualdez, and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos assassinated if she were killed 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's ''assassination'' statement was made during a virtual press conference early Saturday morning, where she slammed the House of Representatives' order to transfer Atty. Zuleika Lopez, her chief of staff, from the House detention facility to the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City.

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

'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 virtual press conference.

(I've already spoken to someone, so don't worry about my security. I told that person to kill BBM [Marcos' initials] Liza Araneta and Martin Romualdez if I were to be slain.)

“Nagbilin na ako, Ma’am. ‘Pag namatay ako, wag ka tumigil hanggang hindi mo mapapatay sila. And then he said 'yes.'''

(Ma'am, I've already left a directive. Don't stop till you've killed them all if I die. And then he said, "Yes.")

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said that the statements made by Duterte had been referred to the Presidential Security Command (PSC) for ''immediate proper action.''

In a statement, the PSC said it has implemented tighter security measures to protect Marcos and his family.

"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.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it would investigate Duterte's claims.

Senators also weighed in on Duterte's latest remarks against her former political allies.

"Recent statements made by Vice President Sara Duterte are deeply concerning as they are inappropriate for an official occupying the second highest office of the land," Senate President Francis ''Chiz'' Escudero said in a statement.

"I urge those who are close to her—those who truly care about her as a person and as a leader—to advise her to refrain from making these indecorous and possibly criminal statements in public. These do not benefit the Vice President, her office, or our country," he said.

Senator Ronald ''Bato'' dela Rosa said Duterte's language was understandable given her situation.

"Kung kayo ang nasa ganiyang sitwasyon, masisikmura niyo ba ang ganiyang sitwasyon, unbecoming na kung unbecoming, pero tao lang siya na nasasaktan at nagagalit din," dela Rosa said in a radio interview.

(If you were in her situation, would you be able to accept it? If it is unbecoming, then let it be. But she is just a human being who gets hurt and angry.)

Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Christopher ''Bong'' Go called for a reconciliation between Marcos and Duterte.

"I am appealing for reconciliation, kaya ako, bilang isang senador, ako’y umaapela sa lahat na sana po matigil na ang lahat ng bangayan. I appeal for reconciliation among our leaders. Ang kailangan ng mga Pilipino ngayon ay hindi kontrobersya, hindi away pulitika. Ang kailangan nila ay maayos na serbisyo at malasakit sa kapwa Pilipino," Go said.

(I am appealing for reconciliation. As a senator, I appeal to everyone to please stop all the fighting. I appeal for reconciliation among our leaders. What Filipinos need now is not controversy, not political conflict. What they need is proper service and concern for fellow Filipinos.)

Meanwhile, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief of staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. appealed for ''calm'' even as the military remained ''loyal to the Constitution and the Chain of Command.''

''We are facing greater challenges that require the strength of a united country and armed forces,'' Brawner said, adding that the AFP ''shall remain non-partisan, with utmost respect for our democratic institutions and civilian authority.” —Jamil Santos/VBL, GMA Integrated News