NBI summons Duterte for ‘kill’ remark against Marcos family

Metro Manila, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation has issued a subpoena against Vice President Sara Duterte in light of her “kill” remarks against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, Nov. 26.

In a document dated Nov. 25 from NBI Director Jaime Santiago, Duterte was ordered to appear at the agency’s office in Pasay City on Friday, Nov. 29, to “shed light on the investigation” for alleged grave threats and possible violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act.

Duterte said over the weekend she ordered someone to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife Liza Araneta, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, if she herself gets murdered.

But in a chance interview on Tuesday, Duterte said her statements were made in the context of revenge.

“To the administration, is revenge from the grave a crime?…So I had to die first. They have to kill me first. So now they can’t kill me anymore. Unless they want to die,” she said.

Asked for a response on the subpoena, Duterte said she has yet to read the document.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) said the NBI has begun conducting manhunt operations for the assassin allegedly hired by Duterte - whom they called a “self-confessed mastermind.”

“There should be no room for interpretation when it comes to statements made by public officials, their words must be interpreted in their plain and literal meaning to give paramount importance to their accountability as public servants,” the DOJ said.

Malacañang earlier said it considers the vice president’s remarks as an active threat, which Duterte countered.

“I am confident that an honest scrutiny would easily expose this narrative to be farce, imagined, or nothing at all,” she said.

‘Ground for impeachment’

Meanwhile, Jay Khonghun, Zambales representative, said Duterte’s remarks may be grounds to impeach her.

He said there are no impeachment talks in the House due to the workload.

Deputy Majority Leader Rep. Paolo Ortega was also in defense of Romualdez.

“Siyempre po kami po ‘yung direktang binibira din nila sa HOR (House of Representatives). So kaya kami nandito dahil pinagtatanggol namin itong bahay namin, itong HOR,” Ortega was quoted as saying in a press release.

[Translation: Of course, they are directing us, the House of Representatives. That’s why, we are protecting this house, the HOR]

Lawmakers said they are planning to finish the inquiries of the committee on good government and public accountability, as well as the quad panel before Christmas recess.