Palace: No ‘Oplan Romanov’ justifies assassination threat vs Marcos

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday said no alleged “Operation Romanov” could justify Vice President Sara Duterte’s assassination remarks against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

During the third day of Duterte’s impeachment trial on Wednesday, defense counsel Mark Vinluan cited the supposed unauthorized surveillance operations against the vice president, which allegedly exposed her family to security threats.

READ: Defense argument: Sara Duterte’s threat not a high crime

Article continues after this advertisement

Vinluan argued that Duterte was not merely speaking as a public official when she made remarks threatening the lives of Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez but as a mother who was seeking to protect herself and her family.

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

“Is she using the alleged ‘Oplan Romanov’ to justify why she threatened the president? We cannot separate her role as vice president from her role as a mother,” said Palace press officer Claire Castro at a briefing.

“A threat is a threat, regardless of who you are. If you threaten the life of the president, whether you are a mother or the vice president, it makes no difference — you still threatened the president’s life,” she asserted.

Castro said it is the responsibility of Duterte’s camp to substantiate their claims, adding that the government cannot investigate allegations without supporting evidence.

“First of all, who brought up ‘Oplan Romanov?’ Wasn’t it the vice president’s camp? Shouldn’t she be the one to present evidence about it, rather than the Palace? She should provide the details so that a proper investigation can be conducted,” the Palace official said.

Article continues after this advertisement

She added, “No one can be blamed if the alleged ‘Oplan Romanov’ does not come to be established as existing, because even the vice president, who raised the claim, has not provided proof to substantiate it. So what can the Executive do if there is nothing to investigate because the accuser has not provided any details?”

During the same trial, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) agent John Mark Calilung said Duterte’s remarks against the First Couple and Romualdez constituted an “absolute threat.”

Article continues after this advertisement

READ: Sara Duterte’s kill threat vs Marcos ‘absolute’, says witness

An “absolute threat” generally refers to a threat that is direct and definitive.

Calilung was part of the NBI Cybercrime Division team that investigated Duterte’s alleged threats during an online media briefing on November 23, 2024.

During that briefing, Duterte said: “Don’t worry about my security, Ma’am, because I have already spoken to someone. I told him that if I am killed, kill BBM (Marcos’ initials), Liza Araneta, and Martin Romualdez.”

“No joke, no joke. I already gave instructions, Ma’am. I told him, ‘If I die, don’t stop until you are able to kill them.’ And then he said yes.” /das

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.