NBI obtains lead regarding threats vs. Marcos, FL Liza, Romualdez

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Saturday it is already following a lead regarding the alleged threats against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.

In a news forum in Quezon City, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said additional details about the lead would be revealed at the appropriate time.

Matibag assured that NBI officials will attend the next hearing of the House Justice committee on the alleged threats by Vice President Sara Duterte against the First Couple in 2024.

In a 24 Oras Weekend report by Jonathan Andal on Saturday, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it is continuing its probe to identify the alleged hitman that Vice President Sara Duterte claimed she had hired.

“Alam namin na mayroon talagang kinausap, but we want to find out who that person is. It is a continuing investigation; hinahanap pa rin natin based on what we know,” the official said.

(We already know that she did speak to someone, but we want to determine that person’s identity. The investigation is ongoing, and we are still pursuing leads based on what we know.)

He added that initial findings suggest the remark may not have been made on impulse.

“Kung sabihin namin sa findings namin na spur of the moment lang iyon, na metaphor lang o hyperbole, it appears that it was actually planned,” he said.

(If we conclude in our findings that it was said spur of the moment or merely a metaphor or hyperbole, it appears that it was actually planned.)

The official also said the Vice President’s statements prompted tighter security measures for the President, including closer monitoring and investigation of online threats.

“Mayroon po noong isang araw, habang naka-live ang event na nagsasalita ang Presidente, may nag-post ng comment na ‘barilin na ’yan.’ Once we get him, charges will be filed,” he said.

(The other day, during the President’s livestreamed speech, someone posted a comment saying, “shoot him.” Once we identify him, charges will be filed.)

Prior to this, the committee had issued a subpoena to the NBI to present the results of its probe on the matter.

Bukidnon Representative John Keith Flores raised the motion on Wednesday during the continuation of the impeachment proceedings against Duterte.

"I move that we issue a subpoena ad testificandum and duces tecum for the NBI to present the results of its investigation on the alleged threats," Flores said.

The next hearing is scheduled for April 29.

In an online briefing on November 23, 2024, Duterte said she had ordered someone to kill Marcos, the First Lady, and then-Speaker Romualdez if an alleged plot against her were carried out.

The NBI later recommended the filing of a complaint against Duterte due to her remarks in February 2025.

Duterte later clarified that her remarks were not a threat, saying she was only highlighting an alleged threat to her own security and that her statement had been "maliciously taken out of logical context." —Jiselle Anne Casucian/VDV/MCG, GMA News