Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros' family receives death threats after vlogger killing

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) confirmed that the family of Senator Risa Hontiveros has also been targeted with death threats following the July 17 killing of pro‑administration vlogger Alicia "Mima Alicia" Lipata. NBI Director Melvin Matibag said investigators have identified persons of interest and are conducting forensic and digital analysis of the threatening social‑media accounts, though details remain confidential to protect the probe. The senator’s office had earlier submitted hundreds of Facebook posts and screenshots to the NBI after receiving a wave of online threats. Critics have dismissed the senator’s request for assistance as overly sensitive, but legal experts note that grave threats constitute a crime under the Philippines’ Revised Penal Code. The incident highlights growing concerns over the normalization of violent rhetoric in the country’s political discourse.