Malacañang on Thursday affirmed that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continues to place his absolute confidence in the active members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), despite recent claims suggesting a potential security breach involving the Vice President’s detail.
The statement, delivered by Communications Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro, follows testimony from National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag. During a House committee on justice hearing, Matibag indicated that authorities are investigating whether a hitman allegedly contracted by Vice President Sara Duterte could be a member of her own security team.
“Sa mga aktibong miyembro ng AFP, ang tiwala ng Pangulo ay buong-buo,” Castro emphasized during a press briefing.
Addressing the NBI’s ongoing investigation into the identity of the alleged operative, Castro urged the public to allow law enforcement to conduct their sensitive work without the need for immediate public disclosure of operational details.
“Kung sino man ito na nasasabi ngayon (ni)… Matibag, na maaaring parte ng security ng Bise Presidente, hayaan na lamang natin silang magtrabaho. Dahil baka hindi kinakailangan lang i-detalye kung ano ang kanilang in-operate,” she added.
The allegations surfaced during Wednesday’s impeachment proceedings against Vice President Duterte.
Matibag testified that the NBI possesses information regarding a purported hitman allegedly hired to assassinate President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, should the Vice President herself be killed. It is noted that Duterte’s security contingent is composed of both former and active-duty military personnel.
Regarding the House justice panel’s unanimous decision to find probable cause for the Vice President’s impeachment, the Palace maintained a stance of non-interference, describing it as the independent mandate of the legislature.
“Iyan po ay trabaho ng Kongreso. Kung nakita natin ang boto, dahil nakita naman nila sa pamamagitan ng kanilang hearing na naganap, at may mga ebidensiyang naipakita, so ang pagdedesisyon nila ay naaayon naman sa kanilang mga nasaksihan,” Castro concluded.