National Bureau of Investigation Director Jaime Santiago reiterated on Tuesday his stance that former President Rodrigo Duterte’s “kill” remarks during a proclamation rally were just “rhetoric” but clarified that the bureau would take action should a senator file a complaint.

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is facing a criminal complaint Monday over comments he made during a campaign rally when he said 15 senators should be killed in a bombing to allow more vacant seats for his own party's candidates to fill.

The Marcos and Duterte families dominate politics in the Philippines, and elections in the country can be as much a battle of personalities and factional interests as of policy.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) filed a criminal complaint against former president Rodrigo Duterte over his alleged threat to kill incumbent senators, some of whom were campaigning under the ticket of his successor, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Administration senatorial candidates dismissed former President Rodrigo Duterte’s supposed joke about killing 15 incumbent senators to make way for his

Criminal complaints have been filed by Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III, Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) chief, on Monday, against former President Rodrigo Duterte over his “kill” and “bomb” remarks against senators.