By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation is reviewing Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte’s remark that “we only need one head, the head of Bongbong Marcos,” and will not hesitate to issue a subpoena if needed, NBI Director Melvin Matibag said Friday.
“They’ll say that this is a metaphor again or what. But as our mandate, we are always mindful of the security of our president, and we will watch over that and we probably need to investigate it more thoroughly,” Matibag told GMA News in an interview with John Consulta.
“We are reviewing it and we are looking at whether it is necessary to do that. But if it reaches that situation, we will not hesitate to issue a subpoena so that he himself can provide clarification,” he added.
Matibag noted a pattern among the Dutertes. “Before, it was Vice President Sara. Now it’s Baste, and they always keep mentioning the head of the president,” he said.
In November 2024, VP Sara Duterte said in a live press conference that she had spoken to someone: “If I’m killed, kill BBM, Liza Araneta, and Martin Romualdez. No joke. No joke.” She later said her statement was “maliciously taken out of logical context.”
On April 12, 2026, during the launch of the Reform Alliance for Good Governance and Accountability in San Juan City, Mayor Baste Duterte said: “It’s okay. We only need one head — the head of Bongbong Marcos!” while discussing corruption in government.
PALACE: NBI MUST PROBE DEATH THREATS
Palace Press Officer Usec. Claire Castro stressed on April 15 that it is the NBI’s duty to investigate individuals who threaten President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s life. She said threats against the President are “no longer new” given recent events.
The issue surfaced after self-proclaimed “bagman” Ramil Madriaga told the House Committee on Justice on April 14 that former President Rodrigo Duterte allegedly planned a coup or assassination against Marcos. Madriaga also claimed there was a 2021 agreement that Marcos should step down by 2025 to let VP Sara assume the presidency.
In a separate forum, Matibag said the NBI believes VP Sara’s November 2024 “assassination plot” statement was not mere “metaphor” or “hyperbole” because she “contacted an assassin.”
“What we know… that is something she did on the spur of the moment… That is planned, actually,” Matibag said, adding the bureau is still searching for the alleged hired killer.
“It’s scary… It’s so easy to say, ‘shoot that person, kill that person,’… ‘Take the head of that person,’ then they just say, ‘This is all metaphor, we have no intention,’” he said.
The NBI is assessing if Baste Duterte’s remark constitutes inciting to sedition, grave threats, or other offenses.
Mayor Duterte may be summoned to explain his statement in person.
The bureau remains on high alert for threats against the President, including those on social media.
Matibag emphasized the NBI’s mandate: “We are always mindful of the security of our president.”
ia/xf
