Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte said Saturday she has contracted an assassin to kill the president, his wife and the House of Representatives speaker if she herself is killed, in a brazen public threat that she warned was not a joke.

The Philippines' security council will verify an alleged assassination threat by Vice President Sara Duterte against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., a top official said on Sunday, describing it as a "matter of national security".

Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte sparked outrage by claiming she ordered an assassin to target President Marcos Jr. and key allies if she is killed, later insisting the remarks were exaggerated.