All threats on PRRD’s life are taken ‘seriously’: Palace

FILE: President Rodrigo Roa Duterte shares a light moment with the guests during the Joint 68th National Security Council and 69th National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Founding Anniversary Celebration at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City on July 31, 2018. KARL NORMAN ALONZO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

MANILA – All kind of threats on the life of President Rodrigo Duterte are taken seriously by the government defense and security sectors, Malacañang on Thursday said.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque was asked to comment on Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana’s statement that there is no direct threat to Duterte’s life.

“Although there is no direct threat to his life, as Secretary Lorenzana mentioned, the defense and security sectors, including the Presidential Security Group (PSG), take all threats to the life of the President seriously,” Roque said.

In his speech before the League of Municipalities of the Philippines-Visayas Island Cluster Conference in Cebu City on August 21, Duterte mentioned that the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is allegedly plotting to kill him.

Lorenzana, however, reportedly said during recent House of Representatives budget deliberations the US Embassy in the Philippines has assured “there is no such thing”.

The DND official said Duterte might have based his fears on the books the President read about the past activities of the CIA.

Roque also earlier said there is no threat on the life of the President, saying Duterte “is not worried the threats on his life”.

Nevertheless, Roque said the PSG forces should be always on guard to protect the President against any threat.

“As we all know, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has made a lot of powerful enemies with his political will and decisive leadership in fighting drugs, criminality and corruption,” Roque said.