Authorities to look into alleged assassination plot vs Marcos
THE JUSTICE department has directed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to validate an anonymous tip of a supposed assassination plot against presidential candidate Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos based on a video posted on social media platform TikTok.
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said in a Viber message on Sunday that the NBI will prioritize any validated information on threats to the security of any presidential candidate.
Charito A. Zamora, director of the Department of Justice (DoJ) Office of Cybercrime confirmed in a separate Viber message that the agency received reports of threats made on TikTok to assassinate the late dictator’s son.
“We made an initial investigation on the matter and referred the same to the NBI-CCD & PNP-ACG (police anti-cybrecrime group) for further investigation,” Ms. Zamora said.
“We also emailed the Tik Tok Law Enforcement Outreach and requested the data related to the subject account be preserved pending investigation by the law enforcement agents concerned,” she said.
Marlon M. Villarin, a political science professor from the University of Santo Tomas said it is but appropriate for authorities to launch a probe.
“Regardless whether it’s a real threat or just propaganda, whoever is the target of these life-threatening remarks,” Mr. Villarin said via Viber.
“The DoJ should investigate not just to protect the possible victim but it is also a way how government wanting the citizens, in general, to be responsible and accountable in the exercise of their freedom of expression amidst a politically critical period,” he said.
He added that a candidate leading in surveys such as Mr. Marcos will not likely resort to propaganda like an assassination attempt. — John Victor D. Ordoñez
