Metro Manila, Philippines – Despite obtaining leads on the hitman Vice President Sara Duterte allegedly hired against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and former Speaker Martin Romualdez, the National Bureau of Investigation said it has yet to identify the individual.
“As of now, hindi naman po na-identify (we haven’t identified him yet),” NBI Director Melvin Matibag said in a forum on Saturday, over a year since the probe began.
Matibag said the bureau is still investigating new leads from recordings, testimonies, social media posts, and the vice president’s sworn affidavit.
The bureau chief also disclosed that Duterte mentioned a plan called “Oplan Romanov,” which authorities are currently investigating.
Matibag said there are other leads regarding the alleged hit placed on the first couple and the former speaker, but he cannot divulge details so as not to pre-empt the ongoing impeachment case against Duterte.
The issue stems from an incident in early 2024 when the vice president publicly announced that she had hired a hitman to go after Marcos, his wife, and cousin if anything happened to her.
Duterte has since been the subject of an NBI complaint and is being investigated for grave threats and possible violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act.
