Matibag: La amenaza de Duterte tenía "fuerza cinética", provocó otras amenazas

Vice President Sara Duterte's verbal threats directed at high-ranking government officials have reportedly generated a ripple effect, prompting others, including her own brother, to make similar threats, according to National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag. This phenomenon, described by Matibag as a "kinetic force," has raised concerns among authorities about potential threats to national security. The remarks were made during the eighth day of Duterte’s trial at the Senate Impeachment Court, where prosecutors are examining allegations related to her conduct. During the proceedings, lead public prosecutor and Batangas Representative Gerville Luistro questioned Matibag about the investigation into statements made by Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte, Sara Duterte’s younger brother. The inquiry centered on a speech delivered by Sebastian Duterte during the Reform Alliance for Good Governance and Accountability (RAGE) Coalition event held in April 2026. In that speech, the mayor reportedly suggested that the nation required only one leader, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and implied that removing him could be necessary. Matibag explained that the initial threats made by Vice President Duterte during an online press briefing on November 23, 2024, had a cascading effect. He stated that these statements influenced others, including members of her family, to issue their own threats. According to Matibag, such behavior could destabilize the country and undermine efforts to maintain law and order. He elaborated further, noting that the impact of Duterte’s statements was amplified by the large audience that witnessed them. Approximately 600,000 viewers tuned in to the live broadcast of the press briefing, where Duterte criticized President Marcos and his associates. Matibag warned that the influence of such rhetoric could incite unrest and erode constitutional principles and democratic processes. When pressed about the term "RAGE," Matibag clarified that while the coalition is known by that acronym, its actual name, Reform Alliance for Good Governance, does not align with the initials. He emphasized that the group's identity and objectives remain distinct from the acronym used publicly. Matibag’s testimony marks the final contribution from the prosecution panel regarding Article IV of the Articles of Impeachment, which focuses on Duterte’s alleged grave threats. These threats targeted President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and former House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez. The accusations stem from Duterte’s comments during the November 2024 press briefing, where she expressed frustration over the detention of her chief-of-staff by the House of Representatives. The Senate Impeachment Court is currently evaluating the evidence presented thus far, with a focus on determining whether the allegations meet the threshold for impeachment. As the trial progresses, additional testimonies and documents will likely be introduced to support or challenge the charges against Vice President Duterte. Authorities continue to monitor developments closely, particularly any further statements or actions that might escalate tensions. The NBI remains vigilant in tracking threats and ensuring that national security is not compromised. With the trial ongoing, the outcome will depend largely on the strength of the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses presented by both sides.