Malacañang on Thursday said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continues to have full trust in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) amid an ongoing investigation into a suspected hitman allegedly linked to Vice President Sara Duterte’s security detail.
Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the President maintains confidence in active AFP personnel despite reports that the individual under investigation may have been connected to the Vice President’s security team.
“Sa mga aktibong miyembro po ng AFP, ang tiwala po ng Pangulo ay buong-buo,” Castro said during a briefing.
The statement came after National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag said authorities are looking into a possible link between the alleged hitman and members of the Vice President’s reported 500-man security group, which includes active military personnel.
Castro urged the public to allow the NBI to complete its investigation, stressing that operational details should not be prematurely disclosed.
“Hayaan na lamang po natin silang magtrabaho,” she said.
The issue stems from remarks made by Duterte on November 23, 2024, when she said she had instructed someone to target President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and then House Speaker Martin Romualdez if an alleged plot against her materialized.
Duterte later clarified that the remarks were not meant as an actual threat, but as a response to what she claimed was a threat to her own security.
The incident is among the issues cited in the impeachment complaint against the Vice President, which the House of Representatives later found to have probable cause.
Castro noted that the House acted based on evidence presented during its hearings, while reiterating that the executive branch would leave investigative matters to the appropriate authorities.