VP Sara summoned by NBI on 'kill' threat

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) issued a subpoena for Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday to explain her controversial remarks about allegedly planning an assassination in the event of her death.

- MARK ERNEST VILLEZA and NEIL SERVALLOS

NBI agents delivered a subpoena to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in Mandaluyong on Tuesday.

The subpoena summons Duterte to appear at the office of NBI Director Jaime Santiago in Pasay on Friday at 9 a.m.

It requires Duterte to explain remarks she made during a recent press conference in which she allegedly threatened the lives of President Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos and Speaker Martin Romualdez.

The OVP's legal office acknowledged receipt of the subpoena.

The NBI is investigating potential violations of Article 282 of the Revised Penal Code, which pertains to grave threats.

According to the NBI, should Duterte be unable to attend the scheduled hearing due to prior commitments, such as a House session on the same day, her lawyer may request a rescheduling.

Speaking to reporters, Duterte said she has yet to review the subpoena and refrained from making substantive comments.

"Since I haven't read what they served me, we will talk about the NBI tomorrow," Duterte said. "Please give me time. I also need to draft my responses, so give me time to read and think about it," she added.

In an interview over dzBB, Santiago said the agency is taking the matter seriously, citing Duterte's statements as a potential grave threat.

"The NBI is a professional law enforcement agency. We do not involve ourselves in political conflicts, but this is a serious matter. The lives of our President, First Lady and Speaker of the House are at stake, and it is within our mandate to act immediately," Santiago said.

He confirmed that the NBI has authenticated the video clip of Duterte's press conference and confirmed that the said video is not AI- or deepfake generated.