: NBI Director Melvin Matibag
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag confirmed during a House Justice Committee hearing on the impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte, that there is an ongoing investigation into claims that Duterte allegedly spoke with someone—possibly an active member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)—about killing President Bongbong Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez if harm came to her.
Rep. Antonio Tinio of ACT Teachers raised the issue, citing statements that Duterte had arranged for her security through the Vice Presidential Protection and Security Group (VPSPG), then headed by Col. Raymund Dante Lachica.
“Malinaw po, idiin po natin sa mismong statement ng Vice President, yung nakita nating video kanina, sinabi naman niya eh, na”Sa security ko kasi may kinausap na ako na tao.” So, pangalawa, “and then he said yes.” So, dalawa po ang na-reveal dito. Una, na yung kinausap niya ay galing sa kanyang security. Pangalawa, na lalaki ito, di ba? He said yes. Tama po ba?” Tinio asked Matibag.
“‘Pag sinabi pong security ng Vice President, again, Ito nga po, katulad ng binanggit nyo, yung Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group. Tama po? At ang pinuno niyan at the time ay itong si Colonel Raymond Dante Lachica. Tama po?”Tinio said.
“That is correct po,” Matibag answered.
“It’s always a possibility because the members po ng Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group, sabi ko nga po may mga active members po ng military po dyan,” he added.
Matibag acknowledged the investigation and said coordination with other agencies is underway to identify the individual involved.
Tinio emphasized that this was not just about hiring a hitman, but potentially persuading an AFP member to target top officials.
“Tama po bang sabihin na hindi lang simpleng nag-hire ng hitman ang bise presidente kundi ang hitman na ito ay posibleng miyembro mismo ng Armed Forces of the Philippines?” Tinio queried.
“It’s a possibility because the members of the VPSPG ay, sabi ko nga po ay may active members ng military,” Matibag replied.
“So, in other words, yung betrayal of public trust po dito ay hindi lamang sa mga krimen na nabanggit. Kung hindi, dahil nga… pinapayag pa ng vice president at inamin niyang napapayag niya na ang isang posibleng, ang isang membro ng armed forces mismo ang pumatay. At hindi lang ng ordinaryong mamamayan, kung hindi, ng commander-in-chief mismo at ng iba pang mga individual at opisyal,” Tinio concluded. # (ZIA LUNA)
