“Any threat against the President is a threat against the Republic itself”
I CONDEMN the alleged plot to harm President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family. I see this not just as a political matter, but as a cowardly and un-Filipino act that endangers not just one man, but the entire nation.
When I hear claims—such as those surfaced by blogger Pebbles Cunanan—alleging a sinister plot by certain groups, potentially tied to supporters of the previous administration, I am horrified.
The specific accusation that this included a desire to “ipapatay si BBM, buong pamilya” is a moral and societal transgression. The mere discussion of a so-called “Sara Army” training in Sorsogon, whether true or not, is a chilling indicator of the kind of destructive rhetoric and planning that has no place in our society.
I want to be clear: Any threat against the President is a threat against the Republic itself. It is an attack on our democracy, our hard-won peace, and the very stability that every Filipino family depends on for their livelihood and safety.
There Is No Justification for Violence
We must stand together and condemn any move that seeks to destabilize our government or endanger the President’s life.
You may disagree with President Marcos Jr.’s decisions. You may oppose his policies, and that is your right in a free society. But plotting violence is never, ever justified. Our democracy is built on the premise that we argue with words, not with weapons.
Anyone proven to be involved in such a heinous plan must face the full weight of the law. The law is not ambiguous here. Conspiring to harm the President or his family is a grave crime; it is an assault on the very foundations of our Republic.
The President Symbolizes Stability
For me, protecting the President is much more than protecting a specific leader. It is about protecting the continuity and stability of the nation.
The President represents the government itself—he is the symbol of the unity of our State. If the institution of the presidency is attacked, the nation is irrevocably weakened.
This is why the duty to protect the President becomes a duty to protect the Republic. We must also remember that behind every political figure is a family that deserves safety and dignity.
Threats like these do not just target a head of state; they target his wife and children, too. That crosses every moral and human boundary we hold sacred.
Justice, Responsibility, and Unity
I call on the proper authorities to investigate these claims thoroughly, uphold due process, and avoid politicizing this serious issue.
The truth must come out through lawful investigation, not through online noise or baseless speculation. Justice must be both firm and fair.
I also caution the public: let’s not fuel panic or division by spreading unverified information online. Instead of sharing rumors, share vigilance. Instead of anger, let’s promote peace.
My appeal is to every Filipino, regardless of political affiliation: unite in rejecting violence and defending the nation’s peace. Protecting the President is not about blind loyalty; it’s about love of country. When we protect the stability of our government, we protect the livelihood, safety, and dignity of every single Filipino.
Our enemies are not each other, but division and hatred. Let us stand together under one flag, guided by law and by our shared duty to keep the Republic strong. Let the Filipino people be curious, be aware, and be watchful, because an informed nation is always a stronger nation.
(The writer, a doctor of philosophy holder, serves as Chairman Emeritus of four civic-oriented organizations: Alyansa ng Bantay sa Kapayapaan at Demokrasya (ABKD), People’s Alliance for Democracy and Reforms (PADER), Liga Independencia Pilipinas (LIPI), and Filipinos Do Not Yield (FDNY) Movement, through which he continues to advance the causes of sovereignty, reform, and the dignity of the Filipino people.)
