Vice President of the Philippines Sara Duterte has made shocking remarks, vowing to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assassinated if she is killed, prompting increased security measures in the country.
The daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, known for his harsh anti-drug policies, Sara Duterte stated in an online briefing that she had contracted an assassin to target not only Marcos but also First Lady Liza Araneta and House Speaker Martin Romualdez. “I said, if I get killed, go kill BBM [Marcos’s nickname], Liza, and Martin. No joke,” she asserted.
Responding to a comment urging her to stay safe while she was in Congress with her chief of staff, the 46-year-old lawyer insisted on the seriousness of her statement, adding, “do not stop until you kill them.”
Under Philippine law, her public remarks could constitute a criminal threat, which may result in imprisonment and fines. Just last October, she accused President Marcos of incompetence, even claiming to have fantasized about decapitating him.
Lucas Bersamin, the executive secretary, characterized Duterte’s statements as an “active threat” and announced that the Presidential Security Command would take immediate action in light of her comments.
“Any threat to the life of the president must be taken seriously, especially when publicly stated in such clear terms,” the government statement highlighted.
This incident adds to the rift between Sara Duterte and President Marcos, both of whom come from influential political families. They were previously allies during the May 2022 elections, winning on a platform of national unity, but their relationship has soured over differing approaches to issues, including China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea.
In June, Duterte resigned from her cabinet position as education secretary and head of an anti-insurgency initiative but retains her role as vice president, which is elected separately and lacks formal duties. She has since accused Marcos’s administration of corruption and of persecuting her family and supporters.
Tensions escalated further after the detention of her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, who has been accused of obstructing a congressional inquiry into the alleged misuse of budget funds during Duterte’s dual roles as vice president and education secretary.
Amid these political divisions, military chief General Romeo Brawner assured that the Armed Forces of the Philippines would remain non-partisan, encouraging unity among Filipinos.
The Philippines is preparing for mid-term elections in May, with Marcos’s six-year term set to conclude in 2028.
Credit: Sky News
