By Junex Doronio
MANILA — A House leader on Saturday (23 November 2024) called for heightened security measures to protect President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez following Vice President Sara Duterte’s alarming remarks threatening their lives.
House Assistant Majority Leader and Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia Alonto Adiong described Duterte’s statements as reckless and destabilizing and emphasized that such statements should not be dismissed and should not be taken lightly with a grain of salt, as he emphasized the need to safeguard the country’s top leaders against any potential harm.
“Ang Pangulo at ang Speaker ay mahalagang haligi ng ating demokrasya. Anumang banta laban sa kanila ay banta rin sa seguridad ng ating bansa. It is imperative that we ensure their safety at all costs,” Adiong said.
Adiong responded to Duterte’s claim during a Zoom press conference, where she allegedly instructed an unnamed individual to target the President, the First Lady, and the Speaker if she were assassinated.
“This rhetoric is deeply irresponsible and deeply troubling. We do not want these kinds of threats be directed against anyone, not to the sitting President, the Speaker or even to the Vice President herself. Instead of fostering unity, it incites fear and division, creates an atmosphere of insecurity among the top echelon of our government and promotes a culture of violence which is diametrically opposed to the core of our democratic system of governance. We must take these threats seriously and provide heightened security for the President, the First Lady, and the Speaker,” Adiong emphasized.
He pointed out that protecting the nation’s leaders is crucial not just for their personal safety but for preserving the stability and integrity of the government and securing the democratically elected leaders of the country.
“Ang ganitong klase ng pananalita mula sa isang mataas na opisyal ay hindi dapat binabalewala,” Adiong stated. “The safety of our leaders is paramount to maintaining the trust and confidence of the people in our democratic institutions.”
The House leader also called on Duterte to retract her statements and clarify her intentions.
“Kung may mga isyung kailangang harapin, dapat itong sagutin nang maayos at direkta. Threats have no place in governance, especially against our top leaders,” Adiong stressed.
He urged government agencies to intensify efforts to secure the President, the First Lady, and the Speaker while addressing the implications of Duterte’s remarks.
“We must send a clear message: threats against our leaders will not be tolerated. Ang proteksyon ng ating Pangulo at Speaker ay proteksyon din ng ating bayan,” Adiong said.
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