National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Atty. Melvin Matibag on Tuesday explained the concept of “kinetic forces” during his testimony on the eighth day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, describing it as the alleged effect of threats that could influence others to make similar statements.
Responding to lead prosecutor Rep. Gerville Luistro, Matibag said the alleged threats against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. created a ripple effect, with other individuals allegedly making similar threats, including Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte.
“Sapagkat dito lang nga po na makikita na ang naging pagbabanta ng ating Vice President ay nagkaroon po ng tinatawag natin na epekto. Ito ay sa kinetic force kung saan yung mga nakarinig ng kanyang pagbabanta ay gumagaya na rin at nagbabanta,” Matibag said.
He added that the NBI’s Special Task Force was created to monitor threats that could affect national security.
“To monitor all those threats na lumalabas po ngayon… sa social media, sa mga pahayag during the rallies, ay tuloy-tuloy po nabanta sa ating Pangulo na maabot na po nabanta sa ating national security,” Matibag said.
Matibag defined “kinetic force” as actions that may encourage supporters or other individuals to act in ways that could create disorder.
“Yung kanilang aksyon ay nagkakaroon po ng epekto para kumilos sa mga nakakarinig, ang kanilang mga supporter, upang maghasik po ng ligalig at kaguluhan po sa ating bansa,” he said.
The NBI director also explained why the video involving Mayor Baste Duterte was included in the agency’s review, citing its wide reach during the Rage Coalition Rally broadcast.
“Napakarami pong naabot na tao, nasa 600,000 plus po yung live broadcast niyan,” Matibag said, adding that the reach of the broadcast could contribute to the possible impact of statements made during the event.
During questioning, Matibag also identified several personalities allegedly present at the rally, including some senators, former lawmaker Mike Defensor, and other PDP-Laban figures.
When asked about the meaning of “RAGE,” Matibag said, “Sa Tagalog po niyan ay galit o puot.”
However, Presiding Officer Senator Francis “Chiz” Escudero clarified that the group’s name is an acronym for Reform Alliance for Good Governance and does not directly correspond to the word “rage.”
“Wala pong acronym yun, Director Matibag? Hindi po kasi tumutugma doon sa acronym nila dahil yung acronym nila, Reform Alliance for Good Governance. So hindi po RAGE,” Escudero said.
Matibag’s testimony forms part of the prosecution’s presentation of evidence under Article IV of the impeachment complaint concerning the alleged grave threats against President Marcos.
