By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Cybercrime Division chief Jeremy Lotoc testified Tuesday before the Senate impeachment court that the term “Romanov” was first publicly invoked by Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte and not during Vice President Sara Duterte’s controversial online press conference in November 2024.
Responding to questions from Senator-Judge Alan Peter Cayetano, Lotoc recalled that Mayor Duterte had urged the First Family to “think about the Romanovs,” referring to the fate of the Russian imperial family. According to the NBI official, investigators found no evidence that the phrase originated elsewhere.
“As far as our investigation is concerned, it started with Mayor Baste. We were not able to validate any other ‘Operation Romanov’ before that,” Lotoc testified.
The issue resurfaced after Senator Raffy Tulfo sought to clarify that the “Romanov” reference was originally directed as a warning to the First Family and not to Vice President Duterte.
During cross-examination, defense counsel questioned Lotoc on whether the NBI had conducted a separate investigation into the alleged “Operation Romanov.” Lotoc replied that the Cybercrime Division’s probe was limited to the alleged grave threats and incitement stemming from Vice President Duterte’s online press conference, adding that any inquiry into a supposed intelligence operation would fall under the NBI’s intelligence units.
Lotoc also acknowledged that the bureau has no confirmed information on the existence of any “Operation Romanov” targeting the Vice President.
Pressed by Senator Francis Pangilinan on how the NBI would respond if new information surfaced, Lotoc said investigators would first validate any allegation before initiating case buildup, following standard operating procedures.
Earlier in the hearing, Lotoc reiterated that while he had no personal knowledge of any alleged contact made by Vice President Duterte with a supposed assassin, investigators concluded from the evidence gathered that there were indications someone had allegedly been contacted, a statement challenged by the defense.
The cross-examination was marked by repeated objections from prosecution counsel Atty. Armando Ligutan, while Presiding Officer Senator Chiz Escudero intervened several times to keep questioning within the scope of the case.
The impeachment proceedings are set to continue with further questioning of the NBI witness by senator-judges and defense counsel.
ia/xf
