Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte’s ‘kill’ remark against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ‘may be’ a ‘conditional threat’ rather than an ‘active threat’, Sen. Bato dela Rosa said on Sunday, Nov. 24.
In a chance interview at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City, Dela Rosa defended Duterte’s remarks, saying that the statement included a certain condition.
The vice president earlier said she ordered someone to kill Marcos, First Lady Liza Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez if she gets murdered. Malacañang considered this an active threat, with security agencies launching an investigation into the issue.
“Maybe a conditional threat. If you hurt me, I’ll hurt you. If you shoot me, I’ll shoot you,” said Dela Rosa.
The lawmaker said the public should just understand Duterte’s remarks.
“Masyado na siya nagigipit. Masyado na siyang feeling na talagang parang pinagkaisahan. Normal na reaction ng tao ‘yan. Intindihin natin,” he said.
[Translation: She really feels like she’s being ganged up on. That’s a normal reaction. Let’s try to understand her]
Dela Rosa is accompanying the VP’s chief of staff Zuleika Lopez with Sen. Bong Go at the hospital after Duterte left to see her children.
Asked why a senator is taking care of the vice president’s chief of staff, Dela Rosa said Lopez just feels comfortable with him as a friend and fellow Davaowenyo.
“Iyong pagka-traumatized niya andiyan pa rin. Wala siyang tiwala, baka kunin siya and dalhin sa women’s correctional,” said Dela Rosa.
[Translation: Her trauma is still there. She doesn’t trust anyone, fearing that she might be taken and brought to the women’s correctional facility]
Lopez was hospitalized on Nov. 23 after the House of Representatives ordered her transfer to the women’s correctional in Mandaluyong City.
She was cited in contempt on Nov. 20 for what lawmakers called “undue interference” in the confidential fund investigation.
