ASIATODAY.ID, MANILA – Relations between Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his Vice President Sara Duterte is getting hotter.
The political rift in the Philippines’ ruling coalition became sharper after Vice President Sara Duterte issued a statement that she had planned the assassination of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. if he was killed, according to local media.
In statements that sparked a strong reaction from the presidency, Duterte said he had arranged for someone to kill Marcos, his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos and his cousin, House Speaker Martin Romualdez, if he was killed. This controversial statement was first reported by Inquirer.net media.
“I already talked to someone. I told that person, ‘If they kill me, kill Bongbong Marcos, Liza Araneta and Martin Romualdez.’ “No joke, no joke. I have given instructions,” Duterte said in an online press conference held Friday evening.
The presidential palace responded firmly, calling the statement an active threat to the president’s life.
“Following the Vice President’s clear and unequivocal statement that he had contracted an assassin to assassinate the President if the alleged plot against him succeeded. “The Executive Secretary has referred this active threat to the Presidential Security Command for immediate action with appropriate action,” read a statement from the palace.
“Any threat to the President’s life must always be taken seriously, especially since this threat has been expressed to the public in clear and definite words,” the statement added.
The statement marked a new low in relations between the two leaders, further underscoring divisions in the governing coalition.
Sara Duterte resigned from her Cabinet post in June citing differences with Marcos, although she remains vice president.
Strengthen President Marcos’ security
The Philippine government has increased security for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family after receiving death threats from his own Vice President, Sara Duterte, local media reported Sunday.
In their statement, the Philippine Presidential Security Command (PSC) emphasized that it continues to coordinate with relevant law enforcement to “detect, prevent and contain all forms of threats against the president and his family”.
“Any threat to the lives of the president or his family, regardless of origin — and especially such a graphic threat made in public — will be taken very seriously,” the agency said.
“We consider this matter a national security issue and will take all necessary measures to safeguard the president’s security,” the PSC said in a statement. (AT Network)
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