‘Kill Marcos if I’m killed’: Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte’s public assassination threat against President

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has fueled political controversy by claiming that she hired an assassin to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she was ever assassinated. Duterte issued a statement on Saturday, insisting it was no joke, prompting swift action from security forces. The Philippine Security Council called it a “matter of national security”.
In a press conference, Duterte accused Marcos of being “incompetent” and called his wife and Romualdez corrupt. She accused him of plotting against her life and said, “I gave my order, ‘If I die, don’t stop until you kill them.'”
Duterte later tried to explain away her statement, saying it was about her concerns about threats to her own life. “If I expressed concern, they would say there is a threat to the President’s life? Why would I kill him if not for revenge from the grave? I have no reason to kill him. What is the use for me?” she told reporters.
When asked about her safety, the 46-year-old vice president said, “Don’t worry about my safety because I have spoken to someone. I said, ‘If I am killed, you will kill BBM, Liza Araneta and Martin Romualdez. No joke, no joke,” she said, referring to the president by his commonly used initials.
Security was tightened around Marcos and his family, and law enforcement was on alert to address potential threats.
Duterte’s comments came after Romualdez’s allies detained his chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez. Lopez, accused of interfering with congressional investigations into Duterte’s budget, was hospitalized 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 investigate the matter.
Under Philippine law, such comments are considered criminal threats, carrying penalties including jail time. The Constitution also states that if the President is unable to serve, the Vice President takes over.
Army Chief General Romeo Browner called for calm and assured the public that the armed forces would remain neutral.