Ferdinand Marcos Jr., the president of the Philippines, vowed to boost security following an assassination threat made by the country's vice president.
The Vice President's Threat
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte said during an online news conference on Saturday that she had hired an assassin with orders to kill the president, his wife and the speaker of the House of Representatives if she were to be killed. Duterte emphasized that the warning was not a joke.
In response to the threat, national police and military forces quickly enhanced security measures for the president, while the country's justice department announced plans to summon the vice president for an investigation. The National Security Council classified the incident as a national security issue.
Duterte, who is also a lawyer, later sought to clarify her remarks, stating that her comments were not an actual threat but rather a reflection of her concerns for her own safety in light of an unspecified danger.
What The Two Are Saying
"Why would I kill him if not for revenge from the grave? There is no reason for me to kill him. What's the benefit for me?" Duterte reportedly told journalists.
Marcos responded to the comments in a televised address saying "that criminal plot should not be allowed to pass...I'll fight it."
"As a democratic country, we need to uphold the rule of law," Marcos added.
Marcos-Duterte Relationship
Marcos and Duterte secured a landslide victories in the country's May 2022 elections while running on a platform of national unity. In the Philippines, the president and vice president are elected independently.
Despite their initial alliance, Marcos and Duterte quickly clashed over significant policy differences, particularly regarding how to address China's aggressive territorial claims in the contested South China Sea. In June, Duterte stepped down from her roles in the Marcos Cabinet as education secretary and head of an anti-insurgency body.
Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres announced during a Monday news conference that Duterte would be subpoenaed to appear for an investigation.
Andres labeled Duterte as the "self-confessed mastermind" behind a "premeditated plot to assassinate the president." He stated that all government resources and law enforcement agencies would be deployed to track down the alleged assassin and establish criminal liability.
"We have to maintain order in a civilized society by adherence to the rule of law, and we will apply the full strength and force of the law on this," Andres said.
Philippine law classifies public statements of this nature as potential criminal threats against an individual or their family, carrying penalties that include imprisonment and fines.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
English (US) ·