Location: Manila, Philippines
Duterte’s Shocking Statement
In a stunning development, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte publicly stated that she had instructed an assassin to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and the Speaker of the Philippine House, Martin Romualdez, in the event of her death. Duterte made these remarks during a press conference on Saturday, fueling speculation about a deepening rift between her family and the Marcos family, two of the most powerful political dynasties in the Philippines.
“I have talked to a person. I said, if I get killed, go kill BBM (Marcos), (first lady) Liza Araneta, and (Speaker) Martin Romualdez. No joke. No joke,” Duterte declared. She emphasized that the threat was serious, adding, “Do not stop until you kill them.”
Increased Security Measures
Following Duterte’s alarming comments, the Philippine security agencies quickly stepped up their safety protocols. The Presidential Security Command released a statement stating that security measures had been intensified and that they were coordinating with law enforcement agencies to protect the President and his family.
Police Chief Rommel Francisco Marbil ordered an immediate investigation into Duterte’s statements, emphasizing that any threats to the president’s life must be treated with the utmost seriousness.
Duterte Responds to Criticism
On Saturday afternoon, Duterte attempted to downplay her comments, explaining that discussing the matter was different from actually carrying out such an action. She further claimed that there had already been a threat to her life and warned that investigations into her death would follow if anything were to happen to her.
Political Implications
Duterte’s controversial remarks are unlikely to diminish her political support, according to political analyst Jean Encinas-Franco. She suggested that such statements might even strengthen Duterte’s position among her father’s supporters. Duterte, who is the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, resigned from the Marcos cabinet in June, signaling the breakdown of the political alliance between her family and the Marcoses.
Escalating Political Feud
This incident adds to the growing tension between Duterte and Marcos, which has been evident in their disagreements on various political issues, including foreign policy and the controversial war on drugs initiated by Duterte’s father. The feud between the two families has also been marked by Duterte’s previous remarks, including accusations of incompetence against Marcos and even fantasies of decapitating him.
In the Philippines, the vice president is elected separately from the president and does not hold official duties unless appointed to a cabinet position.