Former President Rodrigo Duterte together with PDP Laban President Sen. Robin Padilla leads the proclamation rally of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino at Club Filipino in Greenhills, San Juan City, on February 13, 2025. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA — The head of the National Bureau of Investigation on Monday said former President Rodrigo Duterte’s remark about killing senators so that candidates he endorsed could have seats was just a “part of political propaganda.”

Duterte’s comment was delivered during a political rally and should be understood within that context, NBI Director Jaime Santiago said. 

“Nakikita ko, rhetorics lang ‘yan, part lang ng kanilang political propaganda,” he said of calls for the NBI to investigate Duterte's remark. 

“During the past administration nung si president Duterte na laging ganyan puro patayan: ‘Pagkasinira niyo ang kabataan ng bayan, papapatay kita.’ ‘Yung mga ganung salita ni presidente [Duterte], bina-bite ‘yun ng ating mga mamamayan. But then time has changed. Maaari ‘yung mga tirada ni presidente na ganun, puro patayan, wala na tayo sa atmosphere ng patayan. Ngayon kailangan na katahimikan,” he added.

He asked why some congressmen had pushed for an investigation when they were not the ones directly addressed in Duterte’s speech.

“Dapat ‘yung mga senador kung sino man, sila ‘yung magreklamo kung alam nila na sila ‘yung tinatakot na ipapapatay,” Santiago said.

The NBI director noted the difference between Duterte’s remarks and Vice President Sara Duterte’s comment about arranging for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to be killed should she be assassinated.

“The joke of president Duterte was delivered in a political rally. ‘Yung pagkaka-deliver naman ni Vice President Sara ay nagpatawag pa talaga siya ng presscon at pinangalan niya kung sino ‘yung dapat patayin,” he said.

“Sinabi pa niya, no joke. Contrary dito sa deklarasyon ni Presidente Digong, kitang kita ng tao na nagjo-joke lang siya,” he added.

The NBI maintained that unless a direct complaint was made, there was no basis for an investigation into the matter.

During the proclamation rally of Senatorial candidates of Partido ng Demokratiko Pilipino Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) on February 13, Duterte said: "Ngayon, marami kasi sila, ano ang dapat ang gawin natin? Eh di patayin natin yung mga Senador ngayon para mabakante.”

“Kung makapatay tayo ng mga kinse na senador, eh pasok na tayo lahat," he said. 

DOJ SAYS UP TO NBI

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said it was up to the NBI to look into the statements of former President Rodrigo Duterte against the lives of 15 unnamed senators.

“Motu proprio, the NBI can look at that, motu proprio, but, tingnan natin,” Remulla said.

But Remulla cautioned that the former President’s language is different from the way ordinary people speak.

“Sanay tayo, hindi naman lahat ng sinasabi niya tatalon tayo, pero if the senators themselves complain, then we have reason to act on the matter,” he said.

Asked if the statements made by the former President was the same as those uttered by Vice President Duterte against the President, Remulla said: “Iba kay Sara.”

“Specific kasi yung kay Sara, specific na ni-name niya si Presidente, si First Lady at si Speaker Martin Romualdez, na kanyang bibigyan ng motibo.”

LAWMAKERS’ REACTION 

Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada said Duterte’s remark was a “non-issue.”

“Mapagbiro lang talaga si PRRD,” he said. 

Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. added, “Sa tingin ko ay bulaklak lang ng bibig ni FPRRD yan. That's just how he expresses himself. Pero hindi naman tayo natatakot sa ganyan dahil may Agimat tayo.” 

Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel, meanwhile, leaves the issue to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the NBI.

“Let DOJ and NBI do their work,” Pimentel said in a message. “They should know if given the facts whether a crime has been committed or not. If there is no crime whatsoever then let us drop the issue.”

“However, a person’s obsession with the topic of death and killing, mentioning it every time he or she speaks, is a worrying sign of a serious personality disorder,” Pimentel added.

Meanwhile, House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur First District Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong said the NBI chief’s stance was “unfortunate to hear”. 

“Do we actually normalize this kind of talks? Especially if it's uttered in a very important event like proclamation rally,” Adiong said.

“We are not instigating. We are merely trying to convey a message where if there is a policy that any threats, no matter how you say it, utter it, whether it's a joke or not, you are not allowed to say things about killing other people… It's time to draw the line,” he said. 

1-RIDER party-list Rep. Rodge Gutierrez said the NBI should not immediately dismiss Duterte’s remarks.

“We respect of course the good NBI director. Pero this is coming from someone who has admitted to previously killing before… It could be political rhetoric. It could be right. But I think he should at least entertain the idea, hindi po ‘yun dini-dismissed right away,” he explained.