THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has formed a task force to monitor threats against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and other top officials, citing a “pattern” of violent rhetoric across multiple videos linked to Vice President Sara Z. Duterte and her family, including one referencing the Romanovs and Italian dictator Benito Mussolini.
Testifying before the House Committee on Justice, NBI Director Melvin Matibag confirmed that a video of Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte—brother of the Vice President—was submitted and authenticated as part of the bureau’s evidence, but is still being evaluated in an ongoing investigation.
“Yes, Your Honor, it’s part of the submission… it’s being considered on an ongoing investigation,” Matibag said when asked if the video was included in the NBI’s materials.
“So in addition to that, I issued Administrative Order No. 11 dahil sunod-sunod na nga po ‘yong mga threat na nakikita namin sa social media, creating a task force to continue investigating this matter,” he said. “Wala naman pong official name but it’s a task force to monitor all the threats to the President and to all other officials in the government.”
The video, played during the hearing, contained remarks referencing the violent deaths of historical figures, including the Romanov royal family of Russia and Mussolini, who was executed in 1945.
San Juan Rep. Ysabel Maria Zamora, vice chair of the justice panel, flagged the implications of such references, saying they evoke executions and political violence.
“The point is, nakababahala ang kanilang reference sa ganitong mga tao. Their propensity to refer to executions or to idolize dictators is appalling and should not be countenanced,” Zamora said.
She noted that the Romanovs were executed as a family during the Russian Revolution, while Mussolini, a fascist dictator allied with Adolf Hitler, was killed following his downfall.
Matibag said the NBI is examining the video alongside other public statements to establish context, intent and possible escalation.
“We’ve noticed a pattern na paulit-ulit, laging sinasabi ‘kuhain ‘yung ulo.’ There was also a video that Vice President Sara Duterte also referring to remove the head,” he said.
He added that recent incidents have reinforced concerns about continuing threats, including one posted during a presidential event.
“It’s very alarming dahil continuing na po ‘yung threat sa ating Pangulo. Any threat to the President or high official in government, we consider this as a threat to national security,” Matibag said.
The NBI chief disclosed that the bureau has issued an administrative order creating a dedicated task force to investigate and monitor such threats.
“Sunud-sunod na nga ‘yung mga threat po na nakikita namin sa social media, creating a task force to continue to investigate this matter,” he said.
Despite the broader review, Matibag stressed that the bureau’s findings on the Vice President’s November 2024 press conference remain firm.
“The record speaks for itself that the threat, the grave threat, and the inciting to sedition are clear. All the elements were present and we were just waiting for the decision of the prosecution service,” he said.
Lawmakers said the inclusion of additional videos, including those invoking historical executions, could help establish a pattern of conduct relevant to both criminal liability and impeachment proceedings.
The developments form part of the growing body of evidence being assessed by the House panel as it moves toward determining whether probable cause exists to elevate the impeachment complaints against Duterte to the Senate.
