Security protocols in the Philippines have been stepped up after vice president Sara Duterte vowed to have the president assassinated if she herself were killed.

Axar.az reports that the daughter of the country's previous president Rodrigo Duterte, the politician said she had contracted an assassin to kill the president, his wife and the House of Representatives speaker.

This move follows a show of support for Zuleyka Lopez, the Chief of Staff, who has been held in the House of Representatives since Wednesday on charges of contempt of court.

Speaking in an online briefing, she said: "I have talked to a person. I said, if I get killed, go kill BBM (the nickname of Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr), Liza Araneta (the first lady), and Martin Romualdez (the speaker and the president's second cousin). No joke. No joke."