Former National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Jaime Santiago said the alleged "Oplan Romanov" was originally mentioned as a warning directed at President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. and the First Family, not at Vice President Sara Duterte.

Santiago told DZRH News that the term "Romanov" was first publicly mentioned by Davao City Mayor Sebastian "Baste" Duterte during a Maisug rally in January 2024, according to a report of RH Jecelle Ricafort.

"‘Yang Romanov na ‘yan unang lumabas ‘yan salita ni Mayor Baste, isang [rally] ng Maisug, January 2024," the former NBI chief said.

According to Santiago, Mayor Duterte warned Marcos to remember the fate of the Romanov family before going to sleep, referring to the Russian imperial family that was executed in 1918 after the fall of the Russian monarchy.

“Sinabihan niya si Pangulong Marcos na ‘Before go to bed, I warning you isipin mo si Romanov," he added.

Santiago said he was surprised when the narrative later shifted after vlogger Princess Maui claimed that "Oplan Romanov" was a supposed plot to eliminate members of the Duterte family.

"Ang Romanov ay warning ni Baste sa Presidente, sa first family bakit naging kay VP Sara na? Hindi kay VP Sara ‘yun," Santiago said.

The issue resurfaced during the Senate impeachment trial on Tuesday, when defense panel member lawyer Mark Vinluan asked NBI Regional Director Atty. Jeremy Lotoc whether he had heard of "Operation Romanov."

The Romanov dynasty ruled Russia for more than three centuries until the execution of Tsar Nicholas II and his family during the Russian Revolution. It was derived from the Romanovs of Russia, a royal dynasty that ruled from the 17th century until their execution in 1918.

Lotoc testified that he first heard the term from mayor Duterte, who used it as a warning to the President.

"Narinig ko ’yung term na Romanov noong binigkas ni Mayor Baste noong January during Maisug rally. Other than that, wala akong na-validate about Romanov operation," Lotoc told the impeachment court.

During the same proceedings, senator-judge Raffy Tulfo questioned why Princess Maui described "Romanov" as a threat against the Duterte family during an online press conference attended by Vice President Duterte.

"Nagtataka ako na binanggit ’yan ni Princess Maui doon sa online press conference ni VP Sara, ’yung Romanov na banta para sa mga Duterte. When in fact, it was Baste Duterte ang nagbitaw ng salita na ’yun, warning sa First Family," Tulfo said.

The defense panel, meanwhile, said it would present witnesses to support its claim that an alleged "Operation Romanov" targeting the Duterte family existed.