Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte said she has contracted a hired killer to assassinate her country’s president in a bizarre public threat made amid worsening political divisions.
Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte shockingly declared Saturday that she had contracted an assassin to kill the president, his wife and other top officials should she meet an untimely demise.
Duterte warned in an online press conference that she is deadly serious and not joking about her threat to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. killed if something happens to her first. Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin referred the « active threat » against the president to an elite presidential guard force « for immediate proper action. »
The Presidential Security Command said it has « heightened and strengthened » Marcos’ security protocols. « We are also closely coordinating with law enforcement agencies to detect, deter, and defend against any and all threats to the President and the First Family. »
Security officials are treating the threat – « made so brazenly in public » – with the « upmost seriousness. »
« We consider this a matter of national security and shall take all necessary measures to ensure the President’s safety », the command said.
It is unclear what action, if any, will be taken against the vice president.
Marcos and Duterte ran on the same ticket in the May 2022 elections and both were elected with landslide majorities after campaigning on national unity.
