The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag announced the issuance of Administrative Order No. 11, formalizing the creation of the task force to monitor and investigate threats against President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and other high-ranking government officials, following a series of alarming statements circulating on social media.

During the House Justice Committee hearing against Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday, Matibag said the move was prompted by what authorities described as a surge in threatening rhetoric.

“I issued an Administrative Order No. 11 po dahil sunod-sunod na nga ang threats na nakikita namin sa social media, creating a task force to continue investigating this matter,” Matibag said.

During the proceedings, lawmakers discussed alleged threats made by the vice president against President Marcos, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Matibag also cited recent remarks made by Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte, who reportedly said, “Isang ulo lang naman ang kailangan namin, ang ulo ni Bongbong Marcos,” as part of statements being monitored by authorities.

The NBI clarified that the task force is not aimed at investigating specific individuals or families but is instead a broader initiative to address escalating threats against national leaders.

“We consider all threats to the President and to any official of the government as serious threats. Hindi po ito pwedeng biro-biro,” Matibag emphasized.

Authorities also pointed to a recent incident in Isabela, where an individual allegedly posted “Shoot him” during a live online broadcast while Marcos was visiting the province.

The NBI described the situation as “very alarming,” noting what it sees as a continuing “pattern“ of threats.

“Just recently, when Pres. Bongbong Marcos was in Isabela, mayroon pong isang individual doon sa live na nag-post na, 'Barilin na 'yan,” Matibag said.

He added, “It’s very alarming dahil parang continuing na po ‘yung threats sa ating Pangulo. Kami naman po sa law enforcement any threat to the President or high official government we consider it as a threat to national security.”

The NBI reiterated that it is prepared to act on any credible threat, regardless of the source. Matibag added that the agency had also sought to investigate claims by the Vice President that she herself had been threatened, but said she did not appear to pursue the complaint.

“Ang NBI ay kumikilos [laban sa] anumang threat, sinuman po ang bigyan ng threat. In fact, mayroon ding alegasyon si VP Sara na threat sa kanya, we wanted to pursue it pero hindi siya dumalo,” Matibag added.

Lawmakers raised concerns about repeated "references" to violent acts.

Matibag said investigators have observed a recurring "pattern" in the rhetoric.

“We notice a pattern na paulit-ulit, laging sinasabi ‘kuhain ‘yung ulo.’ I think there was also a video submitted by NBI, which was also being considered in the ongoing investigation that Vice President Duterte also referring to remove the head [of PBBM],” he said, adding that both Mayor Duterte and Vice President Duterte have made statements now under review.

House Senior Deputy Minority Leader Rep. Leila de Lima also weighed in, warning that the threats should not be dismissed. She cited what she described as a history of violence associated with the Duterte family, stressing that such remarks must be taken seriously.

Meanwhile, FPJ Bayanihan Party-list Rep. Brian Poe noted that the threats made by Duterte against the President made headlines globally “for the wrong reason,” saying it put into question the country’s “stability and national security.”