Philippine vice president Sara Duterte sparked a political row by claiming she had hired an assassin to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos, and house speaker Martin Romualdez if she were ever assassinated. Duterte made the statement on Saturday, insisting it was not a joke, prompting swift action from security forces. Philippine’s security council described it as a “matter of national security”.
In a press conference, Duterte accused Marcos of being “incompetent” and called his wife and Romualdez as corrupt. She alleged a plot against her life and said, “I’ve given my order, ‘If I die, don’t stop until you’ve killed them.’”
Duterte later tried to explain her statement, saying it was about her concerns over threats to her own life. “If I expressed the concern, they will say that’s a threat to the life of the president? 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?” she told reporters.
When questioned about her safety, the 46-year-old vice president said, “Don’t worry about my security because I’ve spoken with someone. I said, ‘If I’m killed, you’ll kill BBM, Liza Araneta, and Martin Romualdez. No joke, no joke,’” she said, referring to the president by his commonly used initials.
Security around Marcos and his family was tightened, and law enforcement was alert to address potential risks.
Duterte’s comments came after the detention of her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, by allies of Romualdez. Lopez, accused of interfering in a congressional inquiry into Duterte’s budget, was hospitalised after falling ill amid plans to move her to a women’s prison.
Executive secretary Lucas Bersamin called Duterte’s comments an “active threat” and urged the Presidential Security Command to look into the matter.
Under Philippine law, such remarks could be treated as criminal threats, carrying penalties including jail time. The Constitution also states the vice president takes over if the president is unable to serve.
Military chief General Romeo Brawner called for calm and reassured the public that the Armed Forces would remain neutral.
