MANILA- Persons who threaten President Rodrigo Duterte online should be ready to face possible charges, the head of his official security detail said Thursday.

There have been "grave threats" on social media against Duterte, prompting the Presidential Security Group to seek the help of law enforcers to "monitor and apprehend" those behind these acts, its commander Col. Jesus Durante III said.

"PSG will not take lightly any threat made to the President and his family. Anyone who violates will be held liable and will be dealt with in accordance with the law," Durante said in a statement.

Arrests have been made in recent days over online threats to the President's life--including a construction worker, and a public school teacher who offered reward money for the slay of Duterte.

• Construction worker sa Aklan, inaresto dahil sa pagbabanta umano sa Pangulo
• Guro arestado sa pagbabanta umano sa Pangulo sa social media

The National Bureau of Investigation had said that it looks into cases of online threats, and "fake news."

The PSG chief reminded the public that posting grave threats to the President online can be considered as inciting to sedition, and violation of the Cybercrime Prevention Act.

"As we fight this pandemic, may we choose to utilize social media platforms to make useful contributions and not violate any law in expressing personal views and opinions," Durante said.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque earlier said Malacañang would leave the handling of such cases to authorities.