Other Marcos assassination plotters identified by NBI? Manila solon says it’s possible

Manila 1st district Rep. Ernix Dionisio (PPAB)

Manila 1st district Rep. Ernix Dionisio says it’s possible that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has identified other individuals involved in Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged plan to assassinate President Marcos.

“That could be a possibility. Isa sa mga possible (That’s one of the possible scenarios),” Dionisio, a member of the House “Young Guns” bloc, told House reporters.

“Pero (But) of course we cannot say until such time NBI divulges ‘yung mga nakalap nilang information (the information that it gathered),” he noted.

The NBI recently grabbed headlines when it recommended the filing grave threats and inciting to sedition charges against Vice President Duterte. Whether or not such cases would be filed against the second highest-ranked official of the land is now up to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

At any rate, Dionisio–a member of the House “Young Guns” bloc–said that the presumption was that state investigators did their homework regarding the allegation.

“Presumption of regularity natin is ang agency natin, [NBI], they would really dig deeper eh. Hindi sila ‘yung tipong magsasampa-sampa ng kaso without having anything tangible eh,” he said.

(Our presumption of regularity is that our agency, the NBI, they would really dig deeper. They’re not the type that would file charges without having anything tangible)

Dionisio undescored that the NBI’s decision to push forward with the charges suggests the presence of strong evidence.

“Ang presumption natin that NBI before filing, inaral nilang maigi, nag-imbestiga sila at although hindi pa natin alam kung ano specifically yung hawak nilang mga evidence, I would assume na mabibigat yung hawak nilang evidence,” he added.

(Our presumption is that before the filing, the NBI studied this carefully, they investigated it and although we still don’t know specifically what pieces of evidence they hold, I would assume that they have strong pieces of evidence.)

The act of plotting to kill President Marcos is listed as one of the articles of impeachment against Duterte. — Ellson Quismorio