A House leader has urged heightened security for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez following alarming remarks from Vice President Sara Duterte, which allegedly included threats against their lives.
House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Representative Zia Alonto Adiong condemned Duterte’s statements as “reckless and destabilizing.” He stressed that such remarks must be taken seriously and not dismissed lightly, underscoring the need to protect the nation’s top leaders from any potential harm.
“Ang Pangulo at ang Speaker ay mahalagang haligi ng ating demokrasya. Anumang banta laban sa kanila ay banta rin sa seguridad ng ating bansa. It is imperative that we ensure their safety at all costs,” Adiong stated.
The House leader’s response follows Duterte’s claims made during a Zoom press conference, where she mentioned instructing an unidentified individual to target the President, the First Lady, and the Speaker if she were to be assassinated.
“This rhetoric is deeply irresponsible and deeply troubling. We do not want these kinds of threats directed against anyone—not the sitting President, the Speaker, or even the Vice President herself. Instead of fostering unity, it incites fear and division, creates an atmosphere of insecurity among the top echelon of our government, and promotes a culture of violence, which is diametrically opposed to the core of our democratic system of governance. We must take these threats seriously and provide heightened security for the President, the First Lady, and the Speaker,” Adiong emphasized.
He highlighted that safeguarding the country’s leaders is essential not only for their personal protection but also for maintaining the stability and integrity of the government.
“Ang ganitong klase ng pananalita mula sa isang mataas na opisyal ay hindi dapat binabalewala,” Adiong noted. “The safety of our leaders is paramount to maintaining the trust and confidence of the people in our democratic institutions.”
Adiong also urged Vice President Duterte to retract her statements and clarify her intentions.
“Kung may mga isyung kailangang harapin, dapat itong sagutin nang maayos at direkta. Threats have no place in governance, especially against our top leaders,” Adiong stressed.
He called on relevant government agencies to enhance security measures for the President, the First Lady, and the Speaker, emphasizing the importance of addressing the broader implications of Duterte’s remarks.
“We must send a clear message: threats against our leaders will not be tolerated. Ang proteksyon ng ating Pangulo at Speaker ay proteksyon din ng ating bayan,” Adiong concluded.
