Duterte Assassination Plot Allegations Against Marcos – Philippines (2026)

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## Duterte Assassination Plot Allegations Against Marcos – Philippines (2026) ### Overview A jailed witness has alleged before a Philippine House of Representatives committee that former President Rodrigo Duterte discussed removing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. from office and reportedly considered assassination if a supposed power-sharing deal collapsed (SCMP, article [4]). The allegations emerged during impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio. ### Witness Testimony Ramil Madriaga, described as a self-identified political organiser, intelligence operative, and bagman who claimed prior closeness to Duterte-Carpio, made the allegations before the House Committee on Justice (SCMP, article [4]). Madriaga is currently jailed. The sensational nature of the allegations and the witness's background mean they require corroboration and should be treated as contested claims. ### Impeachment Context The testimony arose during House impeachment proceedings targeting Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte (SCMP, article [4]). The Duterte-Marcos political alliance, which was central to the 2022 Philippine presidential election, has since fractured, creating one of the most consequential political ruptures in recent Philippine history. ### Strategic Significance - **Philippine political stability:** Allegations of assassination plotting against a sitting president by a former president's circle represent a serious domestic security and governance concern. - **US-Philippines relations:** Political turbulence in Manila has implications for US basing arrangements, South China Sea policy coordination, and regional security architecture at a moment of heightened China-Philippines maritime tensions. - **Philippine credit outlook:** Fitch recently downgraded the Philippines' credit outlook to negative (2026), suggesting investor concern about governance and political risk that these allegations may compound. - **Legal proceedings:** Multiple overlapping legal processes — ICC proceedings against Rodrigo Duterte, House impeachment of Sara Duterte-Carpio, and now witness testimony on alleged conspiracy — create a complex, fast-moving legal-political environment. ### Key Figures - **Ramil Madriaga** – Jailed witness; alleged former associate of Sara Duterte-Carpio; source of assassination plot claims (SCMP, article [4]). - **Rodrigo Duterte** – Former Philippine president; subject of alleged plotting allegations; currently facing ICC-related proceedings. - **Sara Duterte-Carpio** – Vice President of the Philippines; subject of House impeachment proceedings. - **Ferdinand Marcos Jr.** – Sitting President of the Philippines; alleged target of Duterte's removal discussions. ### Status Developing. Allegations are contested and unverified. Impeachment proceedings against Sara Duterte-Carpio are ongoing.