Investigators are studying whether a coordinated effort lies behind repeated threats directed at President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., National Bureau of Investigation Director Melvin Matibag told senator-judges Wednesday, describing an evidentiary track that has proven slow to build.
“We are developing a theory based on conspiracy. We know that if we go to court using the theory of conspiracy, it is somewhat more difficult to build the case, which is why it is taking a long time to develop it,” Matibag said.
That disclosure came alongside his confirmation that Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte could be charged with grave threat and inciting to sedition. According to Matibag, prosecutors within the bureau have reached an understanding on how to proceed should the legal requirements be met.
“Eventually, we have an agreement within us na if we can establish that the elements for grave threat will be there, we are contemplating on filing a grave threat and inciting to sedition as well,” he said.
The mayor’s remarks are being handled under a broader review rather than a separate case, Matibag explained. A special task force organized in April was tasked with examining threats against the President that the bureau considers ongoing, and the Davao City official’s statement falls within that mandate.
Senator-judge Panfilo Lacson had pressed the NBI chief on that point, questioning why the agency moved on Vice President Sara Duterte but appeared to leave her brother alone. Lacson noted that both siblings had voiced comparable threats aimed at Marcos.
The younger Duterte made his remark at the April 12, 2026 launch of the RAGE Coalition, telling the crowd: “We only need one head, the head of Bongbong Marcos!”
Two years earlier, at an October 2024 news conference, the Vice President said she wanted to “remove his head off” and described having “imagined myself cutting his head.”
