National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag said Tuesday that an alleged threat attributed to Vice President Sara Duterte is being treated by authorities as a serious matter that could endanger national security.

Testifying as a prosecution witness on the eighth day of Duterte’s impeachment trial in the Senate, Matibag said the NBI views the statement not merely as a threat but as a possible plan to harm President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.

“From our law enforcement perspective, ang ginawang banta ng bise presidente ay tinatrato na naming hindi banta kundi isang plano para sa pagpatay sa ating pangulo,” Matibag told the impeachment court.

“That is a threat to the president which we consider also na threat sa ating national security," he added.

Matibag said the NBI has already organized a special task force to handle the investigation into the matter.

“Tayo ay nagtatag ng special task force sa pamamagitan ng pag-create ng isang administrative order kung saan bumalangkas tayo ng mga miyembro ng aming opisina para sila ang magtuloy ng imbestigasyon na ito at ng mga kailangan gawin,” he said.

The Senate is currently convened as an impeachment court, with proceedings entering their eighth day as the prosecution continues to present its witnesses against Duterte.