MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte clarified on Monday that her recent remark about the assassination of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. was “maliciously taken out of logical context.”
In an open letter, Duterte responded to the National Security Council’s (NSC) statement that any threats against the President “shall be validated and considered a matter of national security.”
Duterte requested to see documentation supporting the NSC’s position, including a copy of the meeting notice, proof of service, the list of attendees, photos, and the notarized minutes from the meeting where the Council decided to treat her remarks as a national security issue.
She emphasized that national security should focus on safeguarding the country’s sovereignty, ensuring the safety of the Filipino people, and preserving democratic institutions, asserting that the NSC’s role should be limited to developing policies in these areas.
Over the weekend, Vice President Sara Duterte accused several government officials of corruption and made alarming statements, including an assertion that Speaker Martin Romualdez wanted her dead.
Duterte further claimed that, in the event of her death, she had instructed a person to kill President Marcos, Romualdez, and First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos.
“I have talked to someone. I told him that if I am killed, he should kill [Marcos Jr.], Liza Araneta, and Martin Romualdez. No joke. I already left instructions,” Duterte said.
She added, “If I am killed, I said, don’t stop until you have killed them, and then he said ‘yes.'”
Duterte has since clarified that her comments were not a threat but an expression of concern for her own safety, with her supporters dismissing the remarks as exaggerated.
DUTERTE DEMANDS ANSWERS FROM NSC
In an open letter, Duterte called for the National Security Council (NSC) to address “the threats to the Vice President, the Office of the Vice President (OVP), and its personnel” at its next meeting.
She also noted that, despite being a member of the council, she had not received any meeting notices since she assumed office on June 30, 2022.
“I request the NSA to please send me the notarized minutes of all meetings conducted by the Council from June 30, 2022, if any. I want to review what the council has accomplished so far in terms of policies and recommendations for national security,” Duterte said.
She also demanded an explanation within 24 hours, with a legal basis, for why she had not been invited to any NSC meetings or why she was not considered a member of the council.
Duterte further urged the public to call for greater transparency and accountability from NSC officials.