Philippine vice president makes public assassination threat against country’s president
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has sent shockwaves through the nation by declaring that she had hired an assassin to target President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and other top officials in the event of her untimely demise. In an online press conference, Duterte made it clear that she was deadly serious about her threat and not making a joke.
The revelation has prompted a swift response from security officials, with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin referring to the threat as an “active threat” against the president and escalating the matter to an elite presidential guard force for immediate action. The Presidential Security Command has since bolstered Marcos’ security protocols and is collaborating closely with law enforcement agencies to mitigate any potential threats to the president and his family.
The threat made by Vice President Duterte comes amid escalating tensions between her and President Marcos. Both politicians were elected on the same ticket in the May 2022 elections but have since clashed over various issues, including policy towards Chinese aggression in the disputed South China Sea.
Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte, has accused Marcos, his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez of corruption, incompetence, and political persecution. The vice president’s threat to have Marcos killed followed the detention of her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, by House members allied with Marcos and Romualdez.
During the press conference, Duterte lambasted Marcos for his alleged incompetence and dishonesty, issuing a chilling ultimatum to her would-be assassin in the event of her death. Philippine law prohibits public remarks that may constitute a threat to inflict harm on a person or their family, raising questions about the legal implications of Duterte’s statements.
In response to the escalating political tensions, military chief Gen. Romeo Brawner emphasized the need for unity and nonpartisanship within the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Brawner called for calm and solidarity among Filipinos in the face of potential threats to national stability.
The shocking revelation from Vice President Duterte has sent ripples through Philippine politics, underscoring the deep divisions within the country’s leadership. As the situation unfolds, the nation watches with bated breath to see how this unprecedented development will be resolved.
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