Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has threatened to assassinate First Lady Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and the Speaker of the House of Representatives herself if they are killed, amid rising tensions between the two countries.
Presidential Security Forces (PSC) of Southeast Asian countries answered Surrounding security was quickly increased due to an “active threat” to the life of Marcos (often referred to by his initials BBM), the Associated Press reported.
in statement SaturdayPSC officials said they have “enhanced and strengthened our security protocols” and are “working closely with law enforcement to detect, deter, and defend against any threats to the President and the First Family.”
Duterte, the daughter of BBM's predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, made the threat in an online press conference around midnight local time on Saturday, insisting that it was “not a joke.”
President Duterte hinted that there was a conspiracy on his life, reacting to the decision by lawmakers allied with BBM and his cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, to detain his chief of staff.
When someone asked the vice president about his safety concerns, Duterte responded, “Don't worry about my safety. I'm talking to someone.” I said, “If I get killed, you kill BBM, Liza Araneta, and Martin Romualdez.”
President Duterte continued, “It's not a joke, it's not a joke.” “I gave the command: 'If I die, don't stop until you kill them.'” And he said, 'Yes.' ”
President Duterte's chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, was recently detained by law enforcement for allegedly obstructing a Congressional investigation into Duterte's alleged misappropriation of taxpayer funds.
“Any threats to the life of the President and the First Family, regardless of their source, especially those brazenly made in public, will be treated with the utmost seriousness,” PSC officials said in a statement. said.
“We consider this a national security issue and will take all necessary steps to ensure the president's safety,” the officials added.
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Browner (AFP) said the military will be “nonpartisan” and “remain loyal to the Constitution and chain of command.”
Read | Military Statement of General Romeo S. Browner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Posted by Philippine Armed Forces above Friday, November 22, 2024
“We call for calm and resolve, and we ask everyone to uphold the values of respect and nationalism that guide us during this difficult time,” Browner said. “We reiterate the need to stand united against those who seek to tear apart our bonds as Filipinos.”
Despite running with BBM for a landslide victory in 2022 and joining the cabinet as education secretary and head of counterinsurgency, the president's relationship with Duterte has deteriorated over “key differences,” he said. The paper reports. AP.
The paper said one of the main conflicts between the two countries was “both countries' approaches to China's aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea,” which led Duterte to resign from his cabinet position in June.
Former President Rodrigo Duterte, the vice president's father, also very critical He called his successor a “drug addict” and accused him of pursuing dictatorial power. The former president expressed his desire for his home island of Mindanao to separate from the rest of the Philippine islands under President BBM.
Rodrigo Duterte is also currently under investigation by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for allegedly authorizing the extrajudicial killings of thousands of “mostly minor drug suspects” during his time in office. Associated Press reported.
