National Security Council ‘closely coordinating’ with agencies on threat vs Marcos Jr. | ABS-CBN
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National Security Council ‘closely coordinating’ with agencies on threat vs Marcos Jr.
National Security Council ‘closely coordinating’ with agencies on threat vs Marcos Jr.
In this handout photo, National Security Adviser Eduardo Año attends a budget hearing at the Senate on Nov. 11, 2024. National Security Council Facebook page
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MANILA (UPDATED) — The National Security Council said on Sunday it will work with law enforcement agencies in looking into the threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte have played down as "hyperbolic" and a "conditional" threat.
MANILA (UPDATED) — The National Security Council said on Sunday it will work with law enforcement agencies in looking into the threat against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., which supporters of Vice President Sara Duterte have played down as "hyperbolic" and a "conditional" threat.
The statement comes a day after Vice President Sara Duterte claimed that she hired an assassin to kill the President, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez should a plot against her succeed. The NSC did not name Duterte in its statement.
The statement comes a day after Vice President Sara Duterte claimed that she hired an assassin to kill the President, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez should a plot against her succeed. The NSC did not name Duterte in its statement.
The Vice President also alleged in an online press briefing on Saturday that Romualdez wants her dead, claiming she is a threat to his political ambitions in the 2028 elections.
The Vice President also alleged in an online press briefing on Saturday that Romualdez wants her dead, claiming she is a threat to his political ambitions in the 2028 elections.
"The National Security Council considers all threats to the President of the Philippines as serious. Any and all threats against the life of the President shall be validated and considered a matter of national security," National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said in a statement.
"The National Security Council considers all threats to the President of the Philippines as serious. Any and all threats against the life of the President shall be validated and considered a matter of national security," National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said in a statement.
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"We shall be closely coordinating with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to investigate the nature of the threat, the possible perpetrators, and their motives. We shall do our utmost in defense of our democratic institutions and processes which the President represents," he added.
"We shall be closely coordinating with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to investigate the nature of the threat, the possible perpetrators, and their motives. We shall do our utmost in defense of our democratic institutions and processes which the President represents," he added.
Duterte made the remarks after a House panel ordered to move Office of the Vice President chief of staff Zuleika Lopez to the Mandaluyong Correctional Facility.
Duterte made the remarks after a House panel ordered to move Office of the Vice President chief of staff Zuleika Lopez to the Mandaluyong Correctional Facility.
The Dutertes have a reputation of making shocking statements that are later walked back or are explained as "hyperbole" or made out of frustration.
The Dutertes have a reputation of making shocking statements that are later walked back or are explained as "hyperbole" or made out of frustration.
Lopez was originally detained at the House of Representatives detention facility after she was cited in contempt by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability last Thursday.
Lopez was originally detained at the House of Representatives detention facility after she was cited in contempt by the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability last Thursday.
The House panel decided to transfer Lopez after Duterte insisted on staying at the House of Representatives until her chief of staff's release from detention. They said the transfer was for the security of the House as well as of Duterte and Lopez.
The House panel decided to transfer Lopez after Duterte insisted on staying at the House of Representatives until her chief of staff's release from detention. They said the transfer was for the security of the House as well as of Duterte and Lopez.
DELA ROSA: LET'S JUST UNDERSTAND HER SITUATION
In a chance interview at Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa characterized Duterte's statement as a “conditional threat.”
In a chance interview at Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Sen. Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa characterized Duterte's statement as a “conditional threat.”
“Maybe [it is a] conditional threat. You hurt me, I’ll hurt you. You shoot me, I’ll shoot you. Parang gano’n,” Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief, said.
“Maybe [it is a] conditional threat. You hurt me, I’ll hurt you. You shoot me, I’ll shoot you. Parang gano’n,” Dela Rosa, a former Philippine National Police chief, said.
Dela Rosa further noted that Duterte’s remarks reflect a natural reaction given her situation.
Dela Rosa further noted that Duterte’s remarks reflect a natural reaction given her situation.
“Lahat naman tayo ayaw natin ng harm to every one of us, pero considering the situation, masyado na siyang [VP Sara Duterte] naggigipit. Feeling na parang pinagkaisahan. So, normal reaction ng tao ‘yan,” he added.
“Lahat naman tayo ayaw natin ng harm to every one of us, pero considering the situation, masyado na siyang [VP Sara Duterte] naggigipit. Feeling na parang pinagkaisahan. So, normal reaction ng tao ‘yan,” he added.
(All of us do not want to wish harm on anyone, but considering the situation and she is in desperate straits. She feels ganged up on. So, that is a normal reaction)
(All of us do not want to wish harm on anyone, but considering the situation and she is in desperate straits. She feels ganged up on. So, that is a normal reaction)
Dela Rosa and Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go are at VMMC to help keep watch over Lopez as substitutes for Duterte, who said she wants to go and visit her children.
Dela Rosa and Sen. Christopher "Bong" Go are at VMMC to help keep watch over Lopez as substitutes for Duterte, who said she wants to go and visit her children.
The Vice President has remained by the side of Lopez while she is at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.
The Vice President has remained by the side of Lopez while she is at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.
"We enjoin the Filipino people to remain calm and confident in the knowledge that the security sector will ensure the President’s safety and will always uphold at all times the constitution, our democratic institutions, and the chain of command," Año said.
"We enjoin the Filipino people to remain calm and confident in the knowledge that the security sector will ensure the President’s safety and will always uphold at all times the constitution, our democratic institutions, and the chain of command," Año said.
"We underscore that the safety of the President is a non-partisan issue, and we stand united in our commitment to upholding the integrity of the office and the democratic institutions that govern our great nation," he reiterated.
"We underscore that the safety of the President is a non-partisan issue, and we stand united in our commitment to upholding the integrity of the office and the democratic institutions that govern our great nation," he reiterated.
The Presidential Security Command on Saturday said it has "heightened and strengthened" security of President Marcos Jr. and his family following the threat.
The Presidential Security Command on Saturday said it has "heightened and strengthened" security of President Marcos Jr. and his family following the threat.
Malacañang earlier referred Duterte's claim to the PSC for proper and immediate action.
Malacañang earlier referred Duterte's claim to the PSC for proper and immediate action.
In a separate statement, Police Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, PNP chief, ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) to investigate Duterte's threat. — with a report from Jessie Cruzat, ABS-CBN News
In a separate statement, Police Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, PNP chief, ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) to investigate Duterte's threat. — with a report from Jessie Cruzat, ABS-CBN News
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Carpio warns public against voting for ‘pro-China’ candidates
Carpio warns public against voting for ‘pro-China’ candidates
MANILA – Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has urged the public to be wary in voting for “pro-China” candidates in this year’s elections, saying these candidates would rather push for the Beijing's interests if elected into office.
MANILA – Retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio has urged the public to be wary in voting for “pro-China” candidates in this year’s elections, saying these candidates would rather push for the Beijing's interests if elected into office.
Carpio, without naming persons, said that these candidates have China’s financial backing.
Carpio, without naming persons, said that these candidates have China’s financial backing.
China, he said, might also be fueling disinformation online to further divide the public.
China, he said, might also be fueling disinformation online to further divide the public.
“This election is not purely about internal politics, about internal matters, because there is a country that wants to grab our maritime zones and island territories. So, we should be careful not to vote for Manchurian candidates, candidates who will do China's bidding,” Carpio said in a statement released by Stratbase ADR Institute.
“This election is not purely about internal politics, about internal matters, because there is a country that wants to grab our maritime zones and island territories. So, we should be careful not to vote for Manchurian candidates, candidates who will do China's bidding,” Carpio said in a statement released by Stratbase ADR Institute.
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“They can come out with their own social media campaign,” the former SC magistrate said.
“They can come out with their own social media campaign,” the former SC magistrate said.
“As we have seen in the past, recent past, that there have been candidates, who, when they won, were favoring China against our national interest,” he added
“As we have seen in the past, recent past, that there have been candidates, who, when they won, were favoring China against our national interest,” he added
Carpio also said the West Philippine Sea could be at stake if pro-China candidates would win in this year’s polls.
Carpio also said the West Philippine Sea could be at stake if pro-China candidates would win in this year’s polls.
“Those who are pro-China, they [China] can give campaign funds to. That's usually what other countries do if they want to destabilize a certain state. I expect China to do that... Once elected, they will say, the Philippines has no right to name the West Philippine Sea as West Philippine Sea,” according to Carpio.
“Those who are pro-China, they [China] can give campaign funds to. That's usually what other countries do if they want to destabilize a certain state. I expect China to do that... Once elected, they will say, the Philippines has no right to name the West Philippine Sea as West Philippine Sea,” according to Carpio.
For his part, Dindo Manhit, president of the Stratbase ADR Institute, cautioned voters from patronizing candidates who downplay the 2016 The Hague ruling on the West Philippine Sea.
For his part, Dindo Manhit, president of the Stratbase ADR Institute, cautioned voters from patronizing candidates who downplay the 2016 The Hague ruling on the West Philippine Sea.
“Upholding our arbitral victory is not just a matter of policy but a fundamental duty of any leader who claims to serve the nation. Ignoring it means turning a blind eye to our territorial integrity,” said Manhit.
“Upholding our arbitral victory is not just a matter of policy but a fundamental duty of any leader who claims to serve the nation. Ignoring it means turning a blind eye to our territorial integrity,” said Manhit.
“Vote for leaders who are patriotic and will fight for the Philippines. A true leader must stand firm in defending what is rightfully ours and not succumb to foreign pressure. The West Philippine Sea is a vital part of our national identity, economy, and security,” he said.
“Vote for leaders who are patriotic and will fight for the Philippines. A true leader must stand firm in defending what is rightfully ours and not succumb to foreign pressure. The West Philippine Sea is a vital part of our national identity, economy, and security,” he said.
Sought for comment on the issue, the Chinese Embassy said Philippine elections are an internal matter.
Sought for comment on the issue, the Chinese Embassy said Philippine elections are an internal matter.
Chinese vessels have engaged in a series of high-profile confrontations with Philippine ships in disputed waters of the South China Sea claimed by Beijing despite an international ruling that their assertion has no legal basis.
Chinese vessels have engaged in a series of high-profile confrontations with Philippine ships in disputed waters of the South China Sea claimed by Beijing despite an international ruling that their assertion has no legal basis.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in kicking off the campaign season, had brought up the West Philippine Sea to differentiate the administration slate from other candidates.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in kicking off the campaign season, had brought up the West Philippine Sea to differentiate the administration slate from other candidates.
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