By MANILA, Philippines, Nov. 24 (AfrikTimes) – The Philippines’ National Security Council will investigate an alleged assassination threat by Vice President Sara Duterte against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a top official said on Sunday, describing it as a “matter of national security”.
Duterte, in a strongly-worded morning briefing on Saturday, said she had spoken with an assassin and instructed them to kill Marcos, his wife and the Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives if she were to be killed. National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said the government considers all threats to the president as “serious”, vowing to closely work with law enforcement and intelligence communities to investigate the threat and possible perpetrators.
“Any and all threats against the life of the president shall be validated and treated as a matter of national security,” Año said in a statement.
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, pictured here.
In response to Duterte’s threat, Marcos’ presidential security command said it had tightened its protocols in guarding the Philippine leader and the national police chief had ordered an investigation.
Duterte and Marcos were once political partners who won an overwhelming mandate to lead the nation’s top two offices in 2022. The alliance crumbled this year over policy differences, including foreign policy and former President Rodrigo Duterte’s deadly war on drugs.
Marcos’ congressional allies are also investigating Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs that led to more than 6,000 killed in anti-drug operations, as well as allegations of corruption involving Sara Duterte’s use of public funds during her time as education secretary. Both Duterte and her father have denied any wrongdoing. Sara Duterte resigned from her Cabinet position in June.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. gestures as he delivers his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), at the House of Representative in Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines, July 24, 2023.
