The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) will only take action on the “kill joke” made by former President Rodrigo Duterte if senators file complaints with their office.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, NBI Director Jaime Santiago revealed that no senator has lodged a complaint with the bureau following former President Duterte’s statement suggesting that 15 senators should be killed to allow PDP-Laban candidates to secure Senate seats.
Santiago also clarified that the NBI can only conduct a motu proprio investigation if the threat was made against the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker of the House, or Chief Justice.
Kikilos lamang ang National Bureau of Investigation sa ‘kill joke’ ni dating Pang. Rodrigo Duterte kung may mga senador na magrereklamo sa kanilang tanggapan, ayon kay Director Jaime Santiago. | RH 15 Jecelle Ricafort, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/YkqdXcOlt3
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) February 18, 2025
Additionally, the NBI Director pointed out that it will be up to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to decide how to proceed with the case filed by Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Director PMGen. Nicolas Torre III against Duterte.
Meanwhile, Santiago believes that the remark was merely "rhetoric," emphasizing that the public knows the former president as a humorous person.
He also pointed out that the differing views and the case filed by the CIDG for inciting sedition and unlawful utterances against the former president serve as proof that no one is dictating the NBI's actions.
Nanindigan si NBI Director Jaime Santiago na rhetoric lamang ang ‘kill joke’ ni dating Pang. Rodrigo Duterte.
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) February 18, 2025
Patunay rin aniya ang ibang pananaw at kasong isinampa ng CIDG laban sa dating pangulo na walang nagdidikta sa bureau. | RH 15 Jecelle Ricafort, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/tECgp8T9PT
On Monday, CIDG filed a complaint against former President Rodrigo Duterte over his controversial remark suggesting the killing of sitting senators.
Torre further emphasized that such remarks should not be dismissed, even if later claimed as a "joke," highlighting that the statement holds significant weight and could be taken seriously by Duterte's supporters.
During the PDP-Laban Proclamation rally on February 13, Duterte made the controversial "kill joke" in his speech.
