Manila: The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has confirmed that the alleged threat against President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. remains active and ongoing, as the agency has yet to identify the individual or group allegedly contacted to execute the plan.
According to Philippines News Agency, NBI Director Melvin Matibag shared this assessment during the ninth day of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial. Matibag stated that investigators are confident that contact was made with someone who agreed to the plan, but the identity of this individual remains unknown.
Under questioning from Senate President Sherwin Gatchalian, Matibag clarified that while the NBI has identified persons of interest, these individuals are not necessarily those contracted to carry out the threat. Some may simply hold information that could lead investigators to the actual person or group involved. The NBI has yet to determine if the person or group is among those currently monitored.
Matibag explained that the credibility of the leads is being evaluated using human intelligence, intelligence reports, monitoring tools, and information from long-time NBI informants. Although the investigation may yield inconclusive results after the estimated three- to six-month period, Matibag expressed optimism about a potential breakthrough, rating the probability of identifying the contracted individual at six to seven out of ten.
The willingness of some persons of interest's relatives to cooperate has contributed to the NBI's cautious optimism. The investigation has narrowed the list to fewer than 20 individuals through open-source intelligence, informants, monitoring tools, and a process of elimination.
When asked if any members of the Vice Presidential Security Group were among the persons of interest, Matibag confirmed that at least one connected individual is part of the investigation. Several active uniformed personnel are also included in the NBI's narrowed list. Despite their involvement, these personnel have not been immediately replaced to avoid alerting those under surveillance and compromising investigative leads.
Matibag emphasized the importance of maintaining the current assignments of these individuals to facilitate ongoing monitoring without compromising the investigation. The NBI continues to coordinate with Malaca±ang, the Office of the Executive Secretary, and military units to assess and address the implications of the alleged threat on national security.
