February 17, 2025
Manila – The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) should investigate former President Rodrigo Duterte's joke of killing 15 senators to make room for his recognized senator candidates, Lanao del Sur Councilman Zia Alonto Adiong said on Sunday.
Adion emphasized the “serious implications” that Duterte stated in society.
“In democratic countries, speech has power, especially when they come from people who hold the highest position on the land. If certain statements require legal review, a fair and consistent assessment of all similar statements must be made.” Legislators said in a statement.
“At times like this, our institutions must uphold the rule of law. We must ensure that any individual, regardless of position or influence, erodes the principles of democracy and accountability,” he added.
Adiog also noted that the NBI should investigate the comments of former President Duterte as it also investigates the “killing” threats of Vice President Sara Duterte, who Sara Duterte vs. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos and House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez.
“If the law prohibits the threat of joking bomb threats and is fined, then threats to kill 15 senators should also have consequences,” he said in the Philippines.
Adion also said the older Duterte could not hide his threat in a joke.
“We have seen that rhetorical abilities like this can make individuals surrender to their own hands, often with tragic consequences. When the public believes that the threat of violence is normalized, they create a dangerous environment where such environments are in place , words can be translated into real harm,” he added.
Duterte made a joke at the senator announcement rally of Partido demokratiko pilipino-lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), which was held on February 13 last year at the Philippines Club in San Juan City .
“Now, there are a lot. What should we do? Let's kill the senators now to create vacancy,” he said among the Filipinos, causing laughter from the audience.
“If we could kill about 15 senators, we could all go in. But, they would be pitiful. However, they were thrilling – not all. When it comes to opportunities, the only way is to use bombs,” he added.
