THE National Security Council said Sunday that it considers all threats to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and first lady Liza Araneta Marcos as "serious" and vowed to keep the President safe.

"We shall be closely coordinating with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to investigate the nature of the threat, the possible perpetrators, and their motives. We shall do our utmost in defense of our democratic institutions and processes which the President represents," National Security Adviser Eduardo Año said.

Año called on Filipinos to remain calm.

"The security sector will ensure the President's safety and will always uphold at all times the constitution, our democratic institutions, and the chain of command," he said.

"We underscore that the safety of the President is a non-partisan issue, and we stand united in our commitment to upholding the integrity of the office and the democratic institutions that govern our great nation," he added.

The Presidential Security Command (PSC) earlier said that the security for the President and his family has been "heightened and strengthened," after Vice President Sara Duterte claimed to have contracted an assassin to kill the chief executive and his wife.

Duterte claimed that she has contracted an assassin to kill Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Marcos and Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez should a plot against her succeed.

The PSC said it treats with "utmost seriousness" any "threat to the life of the President and the First Family."

PNP chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil has ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to investigate Duterte's threat.

Duterte's outbursts against Marcos Jr. and his family were triggered by the transfer of her chief of staff Zuleika Lopez from the House of Representatives to a hospital.

Lopez was detained after being cited in contempt by lawmakers.