The Vice President of the Philippines, Sara Duterte, announced on Friday night that she has hired an assassin to kill the President, his wife and the Speaker of the House of Representatives if she herself is killed.
The daughter of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made the threat during a press conference, according to the US news agency AP, and insisted it was not a joke.
The statement was considered an “active threat” to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and sending it to an elite force of presidential guards “for immediate and appropriate action,” executive secretary Lucas Bersamin said Saturday.
“Any threat against the life of the President must always be taken seriously, especially since this threat was publicly disclosed in clear and certain terms,” the government said in a statement.
Marcos Jr. she ran against Duterte as a vice-presidential candidate in the May 2022 elections, and both won landslide victories based on a campaign of national unity.
However, the two leaders and their camps quickly fell out on key issues, including the approach to China’s aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea.
In June, Duterte resigned as education minister and head of a counter-insurgency body.
Like her father, Rodrigo Duterte, the vice president became a fierce critic of Marcos, his wife, Liza Araneta-Marcos, and the speaker of the House of Representatives, Martin Romualdez, the President’s ally and second cousin.
The vice president accuses them of corruption, incompetence and political persecution of the Duterte family and their closest supporters.
The public threat led to the decision of deputies in collaboration with Romualdez and Marcos to order the chief of staff of the vice president, Zuleika Lopez, to be arrested.
Lopez was accused of obstructing a congressional investigation into the possible misuse of Sara Duterte’s budget while she was vice president and education minister.
At a press conference onlineheld before dawn, an angry Sara Duterte accused Marcos of incompetence as President and of being a liar, as well as his wife and the speaker of the House, in expletive-laden comments, according to AP.
“Don’t worry about my safety because I talked to someone. I said: ‘if they kill me, they will kill ‘BBM’, Liza Araneta and Martin Romualdez’. It’s not a joke, it’s not a joke”, said the vice president.
‘BBM’ is the initials of “Bongbong” Marcos, the name by which many Filipinos recognize the President, son of dictator Ferdinand Marcos (1965-1986).
“I ordered: ‘If I die, don’t stop until you kill them,'” said Sara Duterte.
Under the Philippine Penal Code, such public comments may constitute a crime of threatening harm to a person or their family and are punishable by imprisonment and a fine.
Rodrigo Duterte rose to prominence due to a violent police campaign against drug trafficking when he was mayor of Davao and, later, President of the Republic (2016-2022).
The campaign has killed thousands of suspected drug traffickers, most of them minors, a case being investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a possible crime against humanity.
The former President denied authorizing extrajudicial executions as part of the crackdown on drugs, but made contradictory statements.
In October, he told a public inquiry held in the Philippine Senate that he had maintained a “death squad” to kill other criminals when he was mayor of Davao, in the south of the Southeast Asian country.
What are the implications of the assassination plot allegations in the Philippines’ political landscape?
Time.news Interview: The Political Turmoil in the Philippines
Editor (E): Welcome to Time.news. Today, we’re delving into the shocking announcement made by Vice President Sara Duterte regarding an alleged assassination plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Joining us is Dr. Maria Santos, a political analyst and expert in Philippine politics. Thank you for being here, Dr. Santos.
Dr. Santos (D): Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
E: Let’s get right into it. Vice President Duterte’s statement about hiring an assassin certainly raised eyebrows. What are your first impressions of this announcement?
D: It’s absolutely unprecedented for a sitting vice president to make such a direct threat against the president. This isn’t mere political rhetoric; it’s a serious statement that indicates deep-seated conflicts within the government. Duterte’s comments suggest a volatile political landscape.
E: You mentioned conflicts. Can you elaborate on the relationship between Duterte and Marcos Jr.?
D: Certainly. Initially, they were seen as political allies after their landslide victories in the 2022 elections, both running on a platform of national unity. However, they quickly became embroiled in disagreements, particularly regarding foreign policy issues, like how to deal with China’s assertive stance in the South China Sea. This fractured their alliance, revealing underlying tensions.
E: The government described Duterte’s statement as an “active threat” that must be taken seriously. How does this kind of rhetoric impact the stability of the Philippine government?
D: Such statements can lead to a severe deterioration of trust within the government, creating an atmosphere of fear and paranoia. If Duterte feels cornered enough to make such threats, it suggests not only personal insecurity but also widespread discontent within her faction. This could result in political instability, which is detrimental to governance.
E: In light of her accusations against Marcos Jr. and his administration regarding corruption and incompetence, do you think this is a strategic move by Duterte, or is it more a sign of desperation?
D: It seems to be a combination of both. Duterte is certainly trying to rally her base by portraying herself as a defender against corruption. However, the extreme nature of her threat indicates a level of desperation. Instead of constructive political dialog, she’s resorting to fear tactics, which could backfire.
E: The situation has escalated to the point where there are calls for the arrest of Duterte’s chief of staff for obstructing a congressional investigation. What does this say about the current state of governance in the Philippines?
D: It highlights a breakdown in governance and the rule of law. If key officials are being investigated or arrested over political rivalries, it compromises the integrity of governmental institutions. This conflict could distract from important issues facing the nation, such as economic recovery and social welfare.
E: As an expert, how do you foresee this situation unfolding in the near future?
D: While it’s difficult to predict, I believe we will see intensified political maneuvering among factions within the government. The situation could lead to increased public unrest if not managed properly. Moreover, the potential for legal consequences for both Duterte and Marcos Jr. could emerge, adding another layer of complexity.
E: Thank you, Dr. Santos, for your insights on this concerning issue in Philippine politics. It’s clear that this situation requires close monitoring as it develops.
D: Thank you for having me. The political landscape in the Philippines is dynamic, and it’s crucial for citizens and observers alike to remain informed.
E: That’s all for today’s discussion. Stay tuned to Time.news for more updates on this and other important issues.