By Rjay Zuriaga Castor and Sean Rafio
Supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte defended her controversial remarks about plotting to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., describing her statement as a protective measure against alleged threats.
Mila, a longtime supporter of the Duterte family, argued that Duterte’s comments were intended to ensure her safety amid perceived risks.
“She made those remarks to make sure she can defend herself and ensure that she is safe. It is better that she said those words,” Mila told Daily Guardian.
Mila joined over a thousand Duterte supporters in a candle-lighting ceremony and prayer rally at Rizal Park in Davao City on the evening of November 23. It was her first time participating in a rally supporting the former Davao City mayor, who faces intense criticism following her admission of hiring an assassin to target President Marcos if a plot against her materialized.
“May kinausap na ako na tao. Sinabi ko sa kanya, ‘Kapag pinatay ako, patayin mo si BBM, si Liza Araneta, at si Martin Romualdez. No joke, no joke. Nagbilin na ako,’” Duterte said during a late-night press conference held at her brother’s office in the House of Representatives.
The vice president was there to support her detained chief-of-staff, Zuleika Lopez, who is being held in contempt for allegedly interfering in a congressional investigation.
The Presidential Security Command responded by tightening security protocols and coordinating with law enforcement agencies to address any threats to the president and his family.
“Any direct or indirect threat to his life must be addressed with the highest level of urgency,” Police Chief Rommel Francisco Marbil said.
Duterte later clarified, “Thinking and talking about it is different from actually doing it,” while confirming threats to her life. “When that happens, there will be an investigation on my death. The investigation on their deaths will be next.”
Despite the remarks, Duterte’s supporters defended her actions.
“She is a good leader. I have seen how good the Duterte family is. She is the future of the Philippines,” Mila said, praising the Duterte family’s track record in combating illegal drugs and criminality.
Joven Sambade, a 38-year-old resident of Talomo Proper, viewed the remarks as a response to political threats.
“She was misunderstood. For me, as an ordinary citizen, there are threats against the vice president, and those threats are politically motivated,” Sambade said, emphasizing that Duterte’s statements did not signify intent to harm the president.
Sambade also criticized Marcos for failing to deliver on his campaign promises, particularly his pledge to lower rice prices to PHP20 per kilo.
“As an ordinary citizen, I am frustrated. He doesn’t have the resolve to fulfill his promises. Where is the UniTeam now?” he said.
Another supporter, 63-year-old Paul Beltran, called Duterte’s comments an expression of frustration and anger, especially over perceived betrayal by her election allies.
“She was just angry. She reached the peak of her frustration, and we can’t blame her for that,” he said.
Beltran also called on Marcos to step down, claiming that his presidency has brought no significant gains to Davao City.
“As a Dabawenyo, we have not gained anything. For three years, he hasn’t delivered anything significant, though we trusted him in the elections,” he added.
ACTIVE THREAT
Malacañang on Saturday said the Presidential Security Command (PSC) will immediately act on Vice President Duterte’s “active threat” against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos.
The Vice President claimed she had contracted an assassin to kill the president and first lady, as well as House Speaker Martin Romualdez, if an alleged assassination plot against her were to succeed.
Duterte made the statement, described by the Palace as a “clear and unequivocal declaration,” during a streamed conference that began late Friday night and concluded in the early hours of Saturday.
“Acting on the Vice President’s clear and unequivocal statement that she had contracted an assassin to kill the President of an alleged plot against her succeeds, the Executive Secretary has referred this active threat to the Presidential Security Command for immediate proper action,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement.
“Any threat to the life of the President must always be taken seriously, more so that this threat has been publicly revealed in clear and certain terms,” it added.
CONDITIONAL?
Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, a close ally of the vice president, on Sunday said Duterte’s “kill” remark against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. “may be” a “conditional threat” rather than an “active threat.”
“Maybe a conditional threat. If you hurt me, I’ll hurt you. If you shoot me, I’ll shoot you,” Dela Rosa told reporters. “Masyado na siya nagigipit. Masyado na siyang feeling na talagang parang pinagkaisahan. Normal na reaction ng tao ‘yan. Intindihin natin,” he added.
On Saturday, Duterte said she contracted an assassin to kill the President, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez, should anything bad happen to her.
PROBES
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched an investigation on the remarks of Duterte that she has contracted an assassin to kill President Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez, if an alleged plot against her succeeds.
“If the evidence warrants, this could lead to eventual prosecution,” the DOJ said, as forwarded by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) to members of the media on Sunday.
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago has confirmed the authenticity of a video in which Vice President Sara Duterte allegedly claims she would order the assassination of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. if she were killed.
“Our NBI Cybercrime investigators have verified that the video is authentic. It is neither a deepfake nor AI-generated,” Santiago said in a statement.
According to Santiago, the Department of Justice tasked the NBI to verify the video’s credibility following a request from the Executive Secretary and in coordination with the Presidential Security Command.
