President Marcos broke his silence and retaliated against the death threat made by Vice President Sara Duterte, saying such criminal threat is concerning and should not be ignored.

In a two-minute video message on Monday, Nov. 25, Marcos made a lengthy statement following the death threat and tirades issued by Duterte over the weekend. He said he will not let it pass without fighting back.

"Nakakabahala ang mga pahayag na narinig natin nitong mga nakaraang araw. Nandiyan ang walang pakundangang pagmumura at ang pagbabanta ng planong ipapatay ang ilan sa atin (The statements we heard these past few days are concerning. There's the disrespectful cursing and threats to get some of us killed)," Marcos lamented.

"Kung ganun na lang kadali ang pagplano sa pagpatay ng isang Presidente, papaano pa kaya ang mga pangkaraniwan na mamamayan? Yang ganyang krimimal na pagtatangka ay hindi dapat pinapalampas (If it's that easy to plot a murder against a President, how much more to an ordinary citizen. Such criminal threats should not be ignored)," Marcos further said.

"'Yan ay aking papalagan (I will fight back)," he added.

The President stressed that as a democratic country, the rule of law needs to be upheld.

Truth cannot be silenced

Taking a swipe at the previous administration's war on drugs operational plan "tokhang," Marcos said the truth should not be silenced.

He voiced his sentiments on the events leading to the statement made by the Vice President, which, he said, could have been prevented if only she answered to the Senate and House of Representatives inquiries.

"Ang katotohanan ay hindi dapat i-tokhang (The truth should not be silenced)," Marcos said.

"Tapos na sana ang usapang ito kung tutuparin lamang ang sinumpaang panata na bilang lingkod bayan ay magsabi ng totoo, at hindi hahadlangan. Imbes na diretsahang sagot, nililihis pa sa kwentong sitsirya (This matter could have been over if only the oath as a public servant to tell the truth and not hinder were upheld. Instead of directly answering, it was diverted to irrelevant stories)," Marcos stressed.

The President said he hopes this would be resolved in a peaceful and truthful manner.

He also recognized the power the Congress holds under the Constitution, saying he respects their authority and highlighting that even the executive branch and all agencies are not exempted from scrutiny.

"Igalang natin ang proseso. Tuparin natin ang batas. Alalahanin natin ang mandato na pinagkatiwala sa atin ng milyong-milyon na Pilipino (Let us respect the process. Let us uphold the law. Remember the mandate entrusted to us by millions of Filipinos)," he said.

'I won't let anyone drag the country down'

Marcos also said that he will not let anyone drag the Philippines down. The rule of law will prevail whoever will be subjected to it, he added.

"Sa kabila ng mga pambabatikos, nakatuon ang aking pansin sa pamamahala. Ngunit hindi natin iko-kompromiso ang rule of law. Kailangan manaig ang batas sa anumang sitwasyon, sinuman ang tamaan (Amid the tirades, I am focused on leading the country. But we will not compromise the rule of law. The law must prevail in whatever situation, whoever is being hit)," he said.

"Kaya hindi ko hahayaan magtagumpay ang hangarin ng iba na hatakin ang buong bansa sa burak ng pulitika (I will not let others' intention to drag the entire country in the mud of politics)," he added.

The President made the statement after the Vice President threatened to have Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez assassinated if she, herself, gets killed.

Duterte has, however, backpedaled from her statement, saying she will not gain anything if the President dies. She said her statement was more of a concern on the threat to her security.

On Monday morning, the Presidential Security Command (PSC) was on red alert following the threats on the first couple's security. The PSC also ordered to double the President's security in his upcoming public activities.