VP Sara Duterte: Marcos vs. Kill statement "taken out of logical context"

The controversial statement made by Vice President Sara Duterte that she would order the killing of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. if an alleged conspiracy against her were to succeed was "maliciously taken out of logical context."

Following the National Security Council's (NSC) announcement that all threats against the president are taken seriously as national security issues, she made her statement.

Duterte responded by asking why she had not received an invitation to any council meetings while being an NSC member. In a previous statement, National Security Advisor Eduardo Año said the NSC is "closely coordinating with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to investigate the nature of the threat, the possible perpetrators, and their motives."

“I would like to see a copy of the notice of meeting with proof of service, the list of attendees, photos of the meeting, and the notarized minutes where the Council resolved to consider my remarks—maliciously taken out of logical context—as a national security concern,” Duterte said.

She also requested a legal justification within 24 hours as to why she has not been invited to NSC meetings or acknowledged as a council member.

Duterte also demanded that her request to submit purported threats against herself, her office, and its staff be included to the NSC's agenda. In order to assess the council's achievements with regard to national security policies and recommendations, she requested that Año provide notarized minutes of every meeting that has taken place since June 30, 2022.

“I urge all National Security Council members and the Filipino people to demand transparency and accountability from NSC personnel,” Duterte said.

The vice president's controversial statement was made early Saturday at a press conference at the House of Representatives after undersecretary and head of staff for the Office of the Vice President (OVP), Zuleika Lopez, was arrested after being cited in contempt.

Duterte claimed that she had allegedly ordered someone to assassinate Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez in the case of her assassination.

“‘Huwag kang mag-alala sa security ko kasi may kinausap na ako na tao. Sinabi ko sa kanya, 'pag pinatay ako, patayin mo si BBM, si Liza Araneta, at si Martin Romualdez,'" she said, using Marcos' initials.

Later, Duterte explained that the statement was an example of purported threats against her safety rather than a threat.

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