Philippines’ Marcos expresses alarm after V-P Duterte’s assassination threat against him

MANILA – Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Nov 25 expressed alarm over “troubling” threats against him and vowed to uphold the law after Vice-President Sara Duterte spoke about

having the leader assassinated if she gets killed

.

“If it’s that easy to plan the assassination of a president, how much more for ordinary citizens?” Mr Marcos said in a recorded video, without naming Ms Duterte.

“Such criminal attempts should not be ignored,” the President said, adding that he will resist such moves.

“As a democratic country, we need to uphold the rule of law,” he said.

The Philippine Justice Department on Nov 5 labelled Ms Duterte the “mastermind” of a plot to assassinate Mr Marcos and gave her five days to respond to a subpoena.

“The government is taking action to protect our duly elected President,” Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres told reporters.

“The premeditated plot to assassinate the President as declared by the self-confessed mastermind will now face legal consequences,” he said.

He said the Philippine Vice-President “is not immune from suit”.

“She can be the subject of any criminal or administrative case,” Mr Andres said, adding the subpoena was in the process of being served.

He added that a manhunt was under way for the “assassin” allegedly engaged by the Philippine Vice-President.

Ms Duterte, daughter of former leader Rodrigo Duterte, said in a briefing on Nov 23 that she had made arrangements for Mr Marcos, his wife Liza Araneta Marcos and his cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, to be murdered if she is killed.

She later on said her remarks were taken out of context, as she was also concerned about her own security.

‘Reckless’ and ‘dangerous’

Echoing Mr Marcos’ concerns, Mr Romualdez said Ms Duterte’s statement was “reckless” and “dangerous”.

“It sends a chilling message to our people, a message that violence can be contemplated by those in positions of power,” he said in a speech at a plenary session.

In a statement on Nov 25, the country’s National Security Council reiterated that the safety of the Philippine President is a “non-partisan or non-political concern”.

The development marks a turning point in the ongoing feud between the Philippines’ most powerful politicians who teamed up in the 2022 election.

Their alliance, which has been rocked by policy differences, collapsed earlier in 2024 when

the Philippine Vice-President resigned from Mr Marcos’ Cabinet

. 

Mr Marcos’ allies in Congress have been scrutinising Ms Duterte over her office’s alleged misuse of funds, which she denies.

Ms Duterte has also said lawmakers were trying to make a case for her impeachment.

“It would not have led to this kind of drama if only the legitimate questions in the Senate and House of Representatives would have been answered,” Mr Marcos said.

“I wish that these events will end in a peaceful way that will bring us to the truth,” the Philippine President added. BLOOMBERG, AFP