Political situation in the Philippines

Vice President: Has ordered the assassination of the President

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte has hired an assassin to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. should she die, Time reports.

According to Duterte, the assassin has also been tasked with killing two other high-ranking politicians.

- I have given my orders: If I die, don't stop until you kill them, says the vice president.

Duterte and Marcos ran together in the presidential election, but after the victory, their relationship has broken down. Sara Duterte is still formally vice president, but no longer part of Marcos Jr.'s government.

According to Time, the statements could constitute a criminal threat under Philippine law.

Police investigate Duterte after alleged death threat

Philippine police have launched a criminal investigation into Vice President Sara Duterte after she said she hired assassins to kill President Ferdinand Marcos Jr if she herself is killed. This is reported by the Philippine newspaper Inquirer.

"The President's security is a matter of national interest and any direct or indirect threat to his life must be dealt with as quickly as possible," the police wrote in a statement.

During the night of Friday, Sara Duterte held a three-hour long video broadcast press conference after her chief of staff was placed under house arrest by order of the government. Duterte and her staff are under investigation on suspicion of embezzling money.