The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Wednesday that Vice President Sara Duterte may have violated the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) following her statement about contracting an assassin to target President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
Justice Undersecretary Jesse Andres pointed out that Duterte’s remarks could fall under Section 4 of the ATA, which defines acts of terrorism as intending to cause death, serious bodily injury, or endanger someone’s life.
"Mayroon po tayong batas na ATA. Tignan niyo po ang Sec. 4 describing the acts of terrorism, at isa sa mga nakasaad doon ay kung ang isang tao ay may intensyon na magdulot ng kamatayan o malalang pinsala sa isang tao o magdulot ng panganib sa kanyang buhay. Yun po ay nakasaad sa ating batas na pag kayo ay gumawa ng hakbang upang saktan o magbanta sa buhay ng ibang tao, kasama po yan sa terrorism, lalo na po pag ang purpose nyan ay to intimidate and sow fear,” Andres said in a press briefing.
Andres underscored the national security implications of such a threat, particularly when it involves the President.
"Can you imagine a situation where the Vice President is accused of plotting against the life of the President and then the President dies? Even the people, can they accept the Vice President to succeed if she ascends under a cloud of doubt to the seat of power? Napakaseryoso po yan at nakakatakot po yang scenario na yan na mangyari sa pagbabanta sa ating Pangulo," he said.
He added that threats like these hinder the President’s ability to govern effectively.
"The work of the President will be impeded by this serious death threat. That is why it has to be addressed immediately. It has to be quelled at its inception.”
"A threat to the President is a threat to every Filipino. Hindi po maari yan. Gagawin po ng gobyerno ang lahat para protektahan po ang isang halal na pinuno,"Andres stressed.
Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla also assured the public of the government’s resolve to address the issue.
"The DOJ will never back down against insurgency or any form of lawlessness and will forever remain committed to protecting not only the Chief Executive, but the entire Filipino nation as well," he said.
National Security Adviser Eduardo Año emphasized that threats to President Marcos’ life would be thoroughly investigated and deemed matters of national security.
Lawmakers, led by Speaker Martin Romualdez, condemned Duterte’s statement, describing it as "destabilizing, criminal, and a direct threat to democracy."
On Tuesday, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) formally asked Duterte to present her side to investigators by Friday in connection with her statement made online last November 23.
