No direct threat to Marcos' life — Palace

Malacañang has debunked claims that the reason behind President Marcos' decision to skip the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York was there were threats to his life.

- BY BETHEENA UNITE

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire made this clarification on Tuesday, Sept. 16.

"Actually, naitanong po natin iyan at maliban po 'no, maliban po sa naging pagbabanta dati ng Bise Presidente sa buhay ng Pangulo, base po sa National Security Council ADG Cornelio Valencia, wala po na direct threat sa buhay ng Pangulo (Actually, we have already asked about that, and aside from the previous threat made by the Vice President against the President's life, according to National Security Council ADG Cornelio Valencia, there is no direct threat to the President's life)," Castro said.

"Pero hindi po sila magiging kampante sa pagsiguro at bigyan ng seguridad ang buhay ng Pangulo (However, they will not be complacent in ensuring and providing security for the President)," Castro added.

The Palace official reiterated that Marcos' opted to not attend the UNGA slated this month to focus on issues in the country.

When asked what these local issues are, Castro cited flood control anomalies given that the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) has just been formed.