The Philippine government has increased security measures for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and his family after Vice President Sara Duterte publicly threatened their lives, local media reported Sunday.

Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte said Saturday if she is killed, she has contracted an assassin to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos and House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte said on Saturday she would have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr assassinated if she herself were killed, prompting Marcos’ office to vow “immediate proper action.”

Under the Philippine penal code, such public remarks may constitute a crime and can be punishable by a jail term and fine.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte sparked outrage by claiming she ordered an assassin to target President Marcos Jr. and key allies if she is killed, later insisting the remarks were exaggerated.

MANILA (Reuters) -Philippine security agencies stepped up safety protocols on Saturday after Vice President Sara Duterte said she would have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr assassinated if she herself were killed.

The vice-president of the Philippines has hired a hitman to kill the country’s president, Ferdinand Marcos Jr, his wife and the speaker of the house, in the event she is assassinated.

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte says she has contracted an assassin to kill the president, his wife and the House of Representatives speaker if she herself is killed

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte said on Saturday she would have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr assassinated if she herself were killed, prompting Marcos' office to vow "immediate proper action".