Palace: There are always threats against Duterte

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo. (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has always been a subject of death threats, Malacañang said Thursday after the Chief Executive stood behind a bullet-proof glass panel during a speaking engagement in Malabon City.

“There has always been threats against national leaders, and all the more so against this President who has made enemies on all fronts when he declared war against drugs, criminality, corruption and all forms of illegality,” Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

“It is public knowledge that the Chief Executive has made many powerful enemies for spearheading this reform agenda in the two-and-a-half years of his presidency,” he added.

During PDP-Laban’s campaign rally in Malabon City on Tuesday, Duterte spoke behind a bullet-proof glass panel and claimed that someone wants to kill him.

“May gusto mang pumatay sa akin. Pero palagay ko pa naman ang buhay ay swerte-swerte lang. Kung panahon ko na talaga, wala na akong magawa,” Duterte said.

READ: Somebody wants to kills me, Duterte says in jest at rally

Even though Duterte does not care about these threats, Panelo said the President was “bound by security protocols and, whether he likes it or not, these protocols are mandatorily attached to the position he holds.”

A day after the event, Presidential Security Group (PSG) Commander Brig. Gen. Jose Eriel Niembra explained that they used the glass panel because the activity was held in an open area.

READ: PSG explains use of bullet-proof glass during Duterte’s Malabon speech

Panelo noted that “whether the threats are real or imagined, we take them seriously and the Palace commends the PSG for doing a good job.”

“We also thank the overwhelming majority of Filipinos who understand the complexities involved in protecting the President’s welfare and show genuine concern on the security of PRRD,” he added. /cbb