NBI serves subpoena to Sara Duterte over 'threat' vs Marcos, others

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday afternoon served the subpoena to Vice President Sara Duterte following her remark that she ordered someone to kill President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. if an alleged plot against her succeeds.

A report by Super Radyo dzBB's Christian Maño said the subpoena was  served to the Office of the Vice President's (OVP) main office in Mandaluyong City around 12 p.m.

Citing a copy of the subpoena, the report said Duterte is being summoned to the NBI headquarters on Friday, November 29, 2024 to explain her statement against the President, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez.

"Under and by virtue of the authority vested in me by Republic Act No. 10867. you are hereby commanded to be and appear in the Office of the Director, Bldg. D. 9th Floor, Filinvest Cyberzone Bay City. Diosdado Macapagal Bivd., Pasay City Philippines, at 09:00 am on the 29th day of November, 2024 then and there to give your evidence in an investigation to be held at that time and place," read the subpoena.

"To shed light on the investigation for alleged Grave Threats under Art. 282 of the Revised Penal Code in rel to Sec. 6 of RA 10175 and Possible Violation of RA 11479," it added. 

RA 11479 is the Anti Terrorism Act of 2020. 

LOOK: Subpoena issued by NBI to Vice President Sara Duterte @gmanews @24orasgma pic.twitter.com/O1NmLlGyUl

— Joseph Morong ???????? (@Joseph_Morong) November 26, 2024

Investigation

In an interview on state-run PTV4, Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez confirmed the serving of the subpoena to Duterte.

“Dumating na ang mga tauhan ng National Bureau of Investigation sa Office of the Vice President para i-serve ang subpoena para kay Vice President Sara Duterte kaugnay ng kanyang assassination threat laban kay Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, at House Speaker Martin Romualdez,” Gutierrez said.

(NBI personnel have arrived at the Office of the Vice President to serve the subpoena for Vice President Sara Duterte in relation to her assassination threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.) 

“Ipinatatawag ng NBI si VP Sara para pagpaliwanagin sa mga inihayag na banta kamakailan,” she added. 

(The NBI is summoning VP Sara to explain the threats she said lately.) 

Gutierrez said the subpoena was part of an investigation by the Department of Justice (DOJ), led by the NBI, following Duterte’s remark. 

Duterte made the statement during a media conference at the House of Representatives where Office of the Vice President (OVP) chief of staff and undersecretary Zuleika Lopez was detained after being cited in contempt.

“Huwag 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.

(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, huwag ka tumigil hanggang hindi mo mapapatay sila. And then he said 'yes.'''

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

Duterte later on clarified that her “assassination” statement was not a threat, saying she only highlighted the alleged threat to her security. She also said that her remark was "taken out of logical context."

In response, Marcos on Monday vowed to block "criminal attempts" against him.

Duterte’s response

At the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City, Duterte said she has yet to read the subpoena that was served by the NBI against her.

“I don't want to answer that because I have not read what the content of the subpoena is,” she said in an ambush interview when asked if she will go to the NBI now that she has been officially summoned.

Duterte on Monday said that she will “gladly answer” all the questions that the NBI will ask her once the subpoena is out.

"Pero dapat sumagot din sila sa mga tanong ko sa kanila. Mag-uusap nalang kami doon kapag andyan na ‘yung subpoena,” Duterte said in an ambush interview at the House of Representatives.

(They should also answer my questions. We'll just talk when the subpoena has been issued.)

NBI Director Jaime Santiago earlier said they want to subpoena Duterte so that she could formally explain her remarks made during the wee hours of Saturday that were considered by authorities as a threat to the President and a matter of national security.

Santiago also said that the NBI is not yet looking at anyone as a potential person of interest following Duterte’s controversial statement. — KBK/ VAL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News