The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag has testified in the ongoing impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte that her 'kill' remarks against President Marcos are a 'serious, active and continuing' assassination plot.

Matibag, who has been leading the investigation into Duterte's remarks, told the House prosecution panel that the NBI has elevated its investigation beyond the criminal complaints for grave threats and inciting to sedition pending before the Department of Justice. Instead, they have created a special task force to examine what they consider an ongoing threat against the President.

The task force, formed in April, brings together investigators from the NBI's Cybercrime and Transnational Crimes divisions to determine whether Duterte's public statements reflected an actual conspiracy to assassinate the President. According to Matibag, investigators have analyzed Duterte's online press conferences on October 18, 2024, and November 23, 2024, where she spoke of wanting to cut off the President's head and later declared she had instructed someone to kill Marcos, the first lady, and Romualdez should she herself be assassinated.

'It is clear from our open-source intelligence that the Vice President said she contracted someone to kill the President, and that person supposedly agreed,' Matibag said.

The NBI chief also disclosed that investigators have identified several 'persons of interest' who could lead authorities to the individual Duterte allegedly referred to in her November 2024 remarks. While he refused to identify them, saying disclosure could compromise the ongoing investigation, Matibag confirmed that they have leads that are being pursued.

Duterte's defense counsel, Mark Vinluan, asked that the statement be stricken from the record, arguing that Matibag was offering a legal conclusion. However, presiding officer Sen. Francis 'Chiz' Escudero allowed the answer to remain as part of the witness' narration but instructed senator-judges not to treat it as a conclusion of law.

The NBI has actionable intelligence indicating a continuing threat to the President's life, but no similar intelligence regarding any threat to Duterte, Matibag said. He also asserted that Duterte had the means to carry out the alleged plot because she was 'well-connected' with military and police personnel and had access to money and firearms.

Matibag testified that the NBI is also examining a possible conspiracy involving Duterte and her brother, Davao City Mayor Sebastian 'Baste' Duterte, after noting similarities in their public remarks about Marcos.

The impeachment trial continues with the defense seeking more time to complete its cross-examination on Wednesday.

Key Facts

  • NBI Director Melvin Matibag testified that Vice President Sara Duterte's 'kill' remarks against President Marcos are a 'serious, active and continuing' assassination plot.
  • The NBI has elevated its investigation beyond the criminal complaints for grave threats and inciting to sedition pending before the Department of Justice.
  • The special task force has identified several 'persons of interest' who could lead authorities to the individual Duterte allegedly referred to in her November 2024 remarks.
  • The NBI has actionable intelligence indicating a continuing threat to the President's life, but no similar intelligence regarding any threat to Duterte.
  • Duterte's defense counsel asked that the statement be stricken from the record, arguing that Matibag was offering a legal conclusion.