PNP orders CIDG to probe VP Sara Duterte's alleged hiring of an assassin

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to investigate Vice President Sara Duterte's remarks about hiring an assassin to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Duterte made these comments during an online press conference on Saturday morning following her chief-of-staff Zuleika Lopez's detention by the House for alleged interference in budget inquiries.

CIDG chief BGen. Nicholas Torre III said his agency is investigating whether Duterte's claim about hiring a hitman was true or figurative speech, emphasizing that the investigation would be based on facts and relevant laws.

The PNP-CIDG has begun assisting the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in probing the identity of the alleged assassin but has yet to find any concrete leads.

Vice President Duterte's threat against the life of President Marcos Jr. was deemed an 'active threat' by Malacañang, and she is expected to explain her side as part of a subpoena issued by the NBI.

The Department of Justice noted that Duterte's remarks expose her to criminal liabilities due to a lack of recourse to legal and judicial remedies.