Castro harassment in Canada linked to 'kinetic force' from Sara Duterte threats: NBI

National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag on Wednesday said the alleged harassment of Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro in Vancouver earlier this month was an example of the so-called “kinetic force” supposedly generated by Vice President Sara Duterte’s alleged threats. Matibag made the statement on the ninth day of Duterte’s impeachment trial after defense counsel Mark Vinluan asked whether the incident in Canada was part of the “kinetic force”—a term the NBI chief used to describe how Duterte’s alleged threats could influence others to make similar threats or take action. “Well, this is precisely the widespread unrest we have been talking about—a consequence of the frequent and serious threats against the President. Now, even ordinary people are being targeted, not just the President but other high-ranking officials as well,” Matibag said. Matibag is being presented as a witness by the House prosecution panel in connection with Article IV of the impeachment case, which involves Duterte’s alleged threats against President Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. Pressed by Vinluan on whether the Vancouver incident was indeed part of the so-called kinetic force, Matibag replied, “Yes.” During President Marcos Jr.’s official visit to Canada earlier this month, Castro said she was approached by a group of Filipinos while she and a colleague were shooting social media reels. She said one of them asked if she was the Palace official before shouting at her. In a video that circulated online, Castro was seen walking with Presidential Communications Office Director Robertzon Ramirez when a group carrying a bullhorn began shouting and heckling her in Filipino. During Wednesday’s hearing, Vinluan also asked Matibag whether the so-called kinetic force could extend to other countries. “It appears that way because there are many Filipinos there who see the content on social media,” Matibag said. Vinluan further asked whether any expression of dissent against the government should be attributed to the so-called kinetic force. Matibag said it would depend on the circumstances. “It depends on the event. That is why the NBI examines all the circumstances. Yesterday, we laid out our five criteria for conducting a clear threat assessment of such incidents,” Matibag said. According to Matibag, the five criteria used by the NBI special task force in assessing Duterte’s statements are the pattern of violence; the gravity and seriousness of the incident; the identity of those involved; the capability or capacity of the subject; and the person’s motive or intent.