NBI has 20 persons that can identity Vice President “killer”

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag has the identities of at least 20 persons who can identify the “killer” hired by the vice president to assassinate the president, his

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag during the July 22 impeachment trial. Photo by Joseph B. Vidal / Senate Social Media Unit.

Manuel Mogato | July 23, 2026

MANILA — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag has the identities of at least 20 persons who can identify the “killer” hired by the vice president to assassinate the president, his wife, and first cousin in 2024.

At the ninth day of Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial, NBI Chief Melvin Matibag said the NBI has started to question the families and friends of these individuals. (Also read: NBI chief testifies threat is now an active plot)

“We have narrowed the list to fewer than 20 people, and we already have their names,” Matibag said. “In fact, we are already in contact with the families or acquaintances of some of them.”

“There are men in uniform who are in active service,” he added.

Matibag said the 20 persons of interest identified by the bureau are not the actual contracted assassin. (Also read: Prosecution to present proof that Duterte hired ‘hitman’ to kill Marcos)

He said they could lead investigators to the alleged assassin or to someone who knows the person.