President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte during the Walang Gutom 2027: Food Stamp program launch at the Don Bosco Youth Center in Tondo, Manila on July 18, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/file

MANILA (UPDATED) — The security for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family has been “heightened and strengthened,” the Presidential Security Command (PSC) said on Saturday, hours after Vice President Sara Duterte claimed to have contracted an assassin to kill the chief executive and his family members. 

The PSC issued the statement following Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin’s to address  Duterte’s claim that she has contracted an assassin to kill Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos and Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez should a plot against her succeed. 

“Pursuant to the directive of the Executive Secretary, the Presidential Security Command (PSC) has heightened and strengthened its security protocols,” the PSC said in a statement.

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“We are also closely coordinating with law enforcement agencies to detect, deter, and defend against any and all threats to the President and the First Family,” the statement read.

The PSC said it treats with “utmost seriousness” any “threat to the life of the President and the First Family, regardless of its origin, and especially one made so brazenly in public.

“We consider this a matter of national security and shall take all necessary measures to ensure the President's safety,” it said.

PNP-CIDG INVESTIGATION

The Philippine National Police (PNP), in a separate statement, also said it treats any threat to the safety and security of the President and all public officials with the utmost seriousness. 

"In light of Vice President Sara Duterte’s recent statement, which directly referenced an assassin contracted to target the President, the PNP recognizes the grave nature of this matter," the PNP said.

PNP chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil has ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to investigate Duterte's threat. 

"The safety of the President is a national concern and any direct or indirect threat to his life must be addressed with the highest level of urgency," the PNP said. "We assure the public that the PNP will work diligently to ensure the safety of all concerned and will take the necessary legal actions in accordance with the law. The PNP remains committed to upholding public safety and maintaining peace across the nation."

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Duterte’s outbursts against Marcos Jr and his family were triggered after the House moved to transfer Zuleika Lopez — her chief of staff — to a correctional facility from her detention space in the Batasang Pambansa.

Lopez was transferred to another detention facility after Duterte insisted on staying with her in the House of Representatives until the congressional body releases her from detention.

Lopez was detained after being cited in contempt during a congressional investigation on  the Office of the Vice President’s alleged anomalous spending of its funds.