NBI says threat vs. Marcos still active

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said it continues to treat the alleged threat against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. as active and ongoing, as investigators have yet to identify the person or group allegedly recruited to carry it out.

NBI Director Melvin Matibag made the statement during the ninth day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, saying investigators are convinced that someone had allegedly been approached and agreed to the supposed plot, although the individual’s identity has not yet been established.

“This means that the threat against the President is continuing and active,” Matibag told the Senate impeachment court.

Responding to questions from Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, Matibag clarified that the persons of interest identified by investigators are not necessarily the alleged hired perpetrators. Some may only possess information that could lead authorities to the individual or group allegedly involved.

He said the NBI is still determining whether the actual person or group is among those currently under surveillance.

According to Matibag, the investigation relies on human intelligence, monitoring operations, intelligence reports, open-source information, and long-time NBI informants to validate leads.

While acknowledging that the investigation could still end without conclusive findings after the projected three- to six-month period, Matibag said the bureau sees encouraging signs that could lead to a breakthrough.

He estimated the likelihood of identifying the alleged contracted individual at six to seven on a scale of 10, citing the narrowing of investigative leads and increasing cooperation from relatives of some persons of interest.

The NBI earlier reduced its list of persons of interest to fewer than 20 individuals after an extensive review using intelligence gathering, informants, monitoring tools, and a process of elimination.

Matibag also confirmed that at least one individual linked to the Vice Presidential Security Group (VPSG) is among those being investigated. He added that several active uniformed personnel are included in the bureau’s shortened list.

However, he said authorities have opted not to immediately reassign or replace the personnel under scrutiny to avoid compromising the investigation.

“Keeping them in place allows us to continue monitoring them without alerting those under surveillance,” Matibag explained.

He added that the NBI remains in close coordination with Malacañang, the Office of the Executive Secretary, and military authorities as part of ongoing efforts to assess and address any potential threat to the President’s security.

The NBI has not publicly identified any suspect or filed charges, and the investigation remains ongoing.