“If I’m killed, kill the president.”
Philippine ‘Number 2’ orders bodyguards
Toronto JoongAng Ilbo 2024-11-25 0 Philippine Vice President Serra Duterte (left) poses for a photo with new President Ferdinand Marcos at the inauguration ceremony held at the National Museum in Manila, Philippines on June 30, 2022. Reuters = Yonhap News
(international) The conflict within the Philippine passport is reaching its extreme. Vice President Serra Duterte, who is second in line, said, “If I am killed, assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos (who is first in line).”
According to foreign media such as Reuters on the 23rd, Vice President Duterte said this at an online press conference today, claiming, “There is an assassination threat against him.”
“I instructed a member of my security team to kill BBM (President Marcos’ initials), Liza Araneta (First Lady), and Martin Romualdez (Speaker of the House of Representatives) if I am killed,” Vice President Duterte said.
In Philippine politics, Vice President Duterte’s remarks are being interpreted as a backlash against pressure from ruling party lawmakers, including Chairman Romualdez, President Marcos’ cousin. Recently, Chairman Romualdez cut the budget of the Vice President’s Office by about two-thirds, and the House of Representatives is investigating allegations of budget misappropriation by Vice President Duterte. Vice President Duterte’s chief aide, Zuleika Lopez, was also detained on charges of obstructing the investigation.
Previously, the families of President Marcos and Vice President Duterte, the first and second-ranking politicians, formed a political alliance during the 2022 presidential election.
However, there is analysis that the political confrontation between these two people shows that the alliance has collapsed. Current President Marcos has chosen a pro-American path while confronting China on the South China Sea issue, which is the exact opposite of his pro-China predecessor, President Rodrigo Duterte. President Rodrigo Duterte is Vice President Duterte’s father.
He continued, “(This is) not a joke. I told them not to stop until I kill them, and the security guard responded, ‘Okay.'”
In response, the Presidential Palace announced, “We will immediately strengthen security for President Marcos and treat this as a national security issue.” “Any threat to the President’s life must be taken seriously, especially since this threat has been made clear and unambiguous,” the presidential palace said in a statement.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, the president’s chief of staff, said, “Vice President Duterte’s remarks are an active threat,” and ordered the Presidential Security Office to take immediate action. Police Commissioner Ramel Marville also ordered an investigation, saying, “Direct and indirect threats to the president’s life must be resolved with the utmost urgency.”
In addition, President Marcos’ push for constitutional amendments and former President Duterte’s insistence on independence for Mindanao Island amplified the conflict.
Meanwhile, former President Duterte is seeking to return to politics by running for mayor of Davao City, the southern island of Mindanao, his political base, in the 2025 midterm elections.
Toronto JoongAng Ilbo (news@cktimes.net)
In what ways might Vice President Duterte’s statement be strategically calculated to leverage her political power and influence future policy decisions, particularly considering the upcoming 2025 midterm elections?
## World-Today-News Exclusive Interview: “If I’m Killed, Kill the President”
**Welcome to World-Today-News!** Today, we delve into the tense political landscape of the Philippines following Vice President Sara Duterte’s shocking statement. To help us understand the situation, we have two distinguished guests joining us:
* **Dr. Maria Luz de la Cruz:** Professor of Political Science at the University of the Philippines, specializing in Philippine political history and dynamics.
* **Ambassador Roberto Santos:** Former Philippine Ambassador to the United States, with extensive experience in international relations and Philippine foreign policy.
**Section 1: Understanding the Conflict**
* **Dr. de la Cruz, Vice President Duterte’s statement about assassinating President Marcos has sent shockwaves through the Philippines. Can you shed light on the historical context and underlying tensions that might be contributing to this explosive situation?**
* **Ambassador Santos, the Vice President’s remarks seem to stem from pressures exerted by the ruling party lawmakers. How common are such power struggles between the President and Vice President in Philippine politics? What are the potential implications for the country’s stability?**
**Section 2: Analyzing Political Alliances and Shifts**
* **Dr. de la Cruz, President Marcos campaigned on a platform of unity and collaboration, forming an alliance with Vice President Duterte’s father, former President Rodrigo Duterte.
[^With the current political climate, how realistic is the continuation of this alliance?]
* **Ambassador Santos, Former President Duterte was known for his pro-China stance, while President Marcos is pursuing a more pro-American approach. How is this shift in foreign policy influencing domestic politics and potentially contributing to the rift between the President and Vice President?**
**Section 3: Security Concerns and Potential Consequences**
* **Ambassador Santos, Vice President Duterte’s statement has been met with serious concern by the Presidential Palace. What are the potential security risks posed by this escalation of rhetoric, both domestically and internationally?**
* **Dr. de la Cruz, the investigation into alleged budget misappropriation by the Vice President and the detention of her aide raise questions about transparency and accountability in government. How can these issues be addressed to restore public trust and prevent further political instability?**
**Section 4: Looking Ahead**
* **Dr. de la Cruz, with the 2025 midterm elections approaching and former President Duterte seeking to return to politics, how might this situation evolve in the coming months?**
* **Ambassador Santos, what message should the international community be sending to the Philippines at this critical juncture? What role can diplomacy play in de-escalating tensions and promoting dialog?**
**Closing Remarks:**
Thank you, Dr. de la Cruz and Ambassador Santos, for your insightful analysis and expertise. The situation in the Philippines serves as a reminder of the fragility of political alliances and the importance of peaceful resolution of conflicts.
