President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. troops the line as he leads the Presidential Security Group (PSG) change of command ceremonies at the PSG Grandstand, Malacañang Park, Manila on July 4, 2022. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (3rd UPDATE) — Malacañang on Saturday described as an “active threat” Vice President Sara Duterte’s claim that she has contracted an assassin to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should a plot against her succeed.

Duterte made the statement, which the Palace called a "clear and equivocal statement", in a streamed conference late Friday night.

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“Acting on the Vice President’s clear and unequivocal statement that she had contracted an assassin to kill the President of an alleged plot against her succeeds, the Executive Secretary has referred this active threat to the Presidential Security Command for immediate proper action,” the Presidential Communications Office said in a statement.

The Dutertes have earned a reputation of speaking in exaggerations and hyperboles that are later walked back or explained as just expressions of frustration.

Vice President Duterte, for example, claimed that the family had a plan for three Dutertes, including former President Rodrigo Duterte, to run for senator. None filed candidacy papers in the end.

“Any threat to the life of the President must always be taken seriously, more so that this threat has been publicly revealed in clear and certain terms,” the PCO statement read.

The Presidential Security Command, in a separate statement Saturday, said it is taking seriously the threat made in public by Duterte against President and the First Family. 

"Pursuant to the directive of the Executive Secretary, the Presidential Security Command (PSC) has heightened and strengthened its security protocols," it said. "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. " 

"Any threat to the life of the President and the First Family, regardless of its origin—and especially one made so brazenly in public—is treated with the utmost seriousness. We consider this a matter of national security and shall take all necessary measures to ensure the President's safety," it added.

In 2020, the National Bureau of Investigation arrested, without warrant, a school teacher who made a comment on social media offering a P50-million reward to kill then President Rodrigo Duterte. The inciting to sedition case filed against the teacher was eventually dismissed.

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In an online press conference on Friday, Duterte claimed that House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez wants her dead, alleging that she is the biggest threat to his political ambitions in the 2028 national elections.

‘NO JOKE’

The Vice President said she has contracted a person to kill Marcos Jr., Romualdez, and First Lady Marcos should she be assassinated.

“May kinausap na ako na tao. Sinabi ko sa kaniya na kapag pinatay ako, patayin mo si BBM, si Liza Araneta at si Martin Romualdez. No joke. Nagbilin na ako,” she said.

(I have talked to someone. I told him that if I am killed, he should kill [Marcos Jr.], Liza Araneta and Martin Romualdez. No joke. I already left instructions]

“‘Pag namatay ako, sabi ko, 'wag ka tumigil hanggang hindi mo mapatay sila and then he said 'yes',” she said.

(If I am killed, I said, don't stop until you have killed them, and then he said 'yes'.)

Duterte’s outburst against the Marcos family was prompted by a House panel's decision to transfer Zuleika Lopez, the vice president’s chief of staff, to a correctional facility in Mandaluyong.

Duterte had decided to stay at the Batasang Pambansa while her staff remains in detention, raising security concerns at the House, which has been put on lockdown.

'TIGHTEN SECURITY AROUND MARCOS JR., ROMUALDEZ'

Lanao Del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong called for increased security for the President and his wife, and for the House speaker in light of Duterte' statement.

"This rhetoric is deeply irresponsible and deeply troubling," he said, adding statements like Duterte's should be taken seriously.

"Instead of fostering unity, [these threats] incite fear and division, create an atmosphere of insecurity among the top echelon of our government and promote a culture of violence which is diametrically opposed to the core of our democratic system of governance."

In a separate statement, Tingog Party-List Rep. Jude Acidre called the comments and accusations from Duterte unbecoming of a top government official.

"What happened was a meltdown, plain and simple,” he said.