Developing Story
Duterte Assassination Plot Allegations Against Marcos – Philippines (2026)
A jailed witness has testified before a Philippine House committee that former President Rodrigo Duterte allegedly discussed removing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. from power and reportedly considered assassination if a power-sharing deal fell apart. The allegations emerged during impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio. The claims are contested and require corroboration.
Importance: 72%Confidence: 70%Mentions: 1Updated: April 28, 2026
## 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.