Vice President Sara Duterte claimed that the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) probe into alleged grave threats and potential violations of Republic Act No. 11479, or the Anti-Terrorism Law (ATL), is part of a “playbook” designed to oppress and harass her.
Duterte maintained that her “kill remarks” against President Ferdinand Marcos are not “illegal,” claiming that the NBI subpoena is merely a plot to curtail her freedom and her rights.
“I believe they are forcing a case buildup against my remarks… What do they hope to achieve in filing a charge of (violating the) ATL? They want to cancel (my) passport. They want the international (police) to issue a red notice, so I can’t move overseas,” Duterte said mostly in Tagalog.
“And they want to issue search warrants. What will it do? They will break into your properties… That is what they are trying to do, that’s why they insist that there was a violation of the law, she added.
Duterte reiterated her argument that her statement about contracting an individual to “kill” the President, in case she dies, was not an “active threat,” asserting that it is therefore not illegal.
In an online briefing on Saturday, Duterte revealed that she had “contracted” an individual to kill President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, in the event that an alleged plan to kill her prevails. She emphasized that the directive is “no joke.”
The NBI issued a subpoena as a response, requesting Duterte to explain her side regarding her statement by Friday. She claimed her statements were not actionable. “There is no active threat if I’m not dying… There is nothing illegal about it,” she said.
The subpoena was issued as part of an investigation into “alleged grave threats under Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code, in relation to Section 6 of RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012), and a possible violation of RA 11479 (Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020).”
Amid rising security concerns for the President following her remarks, the Vice President questioned the heightened protection, suggesting that the increased security measures might imply her own life is now in danger.
“Why for will you double the security [of the President]? These dictators and oppressors, unfortunately, are not thinking well. They keep attacking, but they don’t think their statements through. It doesn’t make sense,” Duterte said.
