KPL denounces allegation of involvement in assassination threat on Marcos Jr.

Youth representative Kabataan Partylist (KPL) denounced the allegation involving them in an assassination plot against presidential candidate and late dictator’s son, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. 

KPL was linked in the alleged plot by the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Anti-Crime Group (ACG). This was after the Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of Cybercrime (OCC) received information over a Tiktok post that allegedly plots to kill Marcos Jr.

In a press conference held last February 6, KPL third nominee Jandeil Roperos aired her shock over her linkage in the assassination plot.

“Nagulat ako kasi syempre wala namang kinalaman. Nakakatanggap tayo ng ‘di kanais-nais na mensahe, panlalait, pambabanta. Nakakaapekto siya sa kalusugan ng isang biktima. Kahit yung magulang ko nakatanggap ng ganung mensahe,” Roperos said.

[“I was shocked because I was not involved in it. We receive undesirable messages, insults, threats. It affects a victim’s health. Even my parents received such messages.”] 

In a Facebook post, KPL sees the authorities’ claims as a way to “attack and defame” the partylist.

“Mentioning Kabataan tells more about the political bias and imminent meddling of the PNP in the upcoming May 9 elections, as has been done by the PNP in past elections, to benefit political blocs that are afraid of critical and active youth,” KPL wrote.

It can be recalled that in 2021, the Office of the Solicitor General led by Jose Calida filed a case in the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) attempting to cancel the registration of KPL’s candidates (READ: Kabataan Partylist slams disqualification case, reiterates student demands).

In relation to this, KPL fourth nominee Jianred Faustino said that the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) accused KPL of being involved in the Communist Party of the Philippines – New People’s Army – National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).

Despite being repeatedly red-tagged, KPL emphasized that they are a legitimate partylist forwarding the calls for genuine youth representation. As a matter of fact, in the last General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC), UP student councils moved to officially endorse KPL for their commitment to support the youth and education sector.

Justice over death

Opposing the authorities’ allegations over the assassination plot involvement, Roperos said that it is not death but justice that they want for Marcos Jr. 

“Syempre we do not wish death on Bongbong Marcos. Ang gusto namin ay magkaroon ng pananagutan sa korapsyon, pagnanakaw at iba pang kasamaan. Hustisya ang aming panawagan, hindi kamatayan,” Roperos expressed.

[“We do not wish death upon Bongbong Marcos. What we want is accountability for corruption, theft, and other wrongdoings. We’re calling for justice and not death.”]

The press conference last February 6 was concluded by campus publications, led by the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), with a call to uphold truth against political forces that are “maximizing disinformation campaigns”.

“Kaya naman upang mapanatili ang malinis at matapat na kampanya at eleksyon, bukod sa aming patuloy na paglalantad at pagkontra sa mga anomalyang ito, ang panawagan namin ay i-disqualify na ang fake news peddler, sinungaling, at magnanakaw na si Marcos Jr!” CEGP’s Elyjah Jan Rosales said.

[“To maintain the clean and truthful campaign and election, apart from our continuous fight against anomalies, our call is to disqualify the fake news peddler, liar, and thief that is Marcos Jr!”]

In the latest development on the investigation, PNP said that they have already identified the Tiktok user’s identity who was behind the said plot. No further details were disclosed. [P]