THE Philippine National Police (PNP) sees no security threat to Vice President Sara Duterte.
This is one of the reasons behind PNP Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil’s decision to remove 75 police security personnel from the Vice President’s office.
According to Marbil, the PNP is ready to provide support in the future if VP Sara needs it.
“There is no security threat to the VP. What I’m saying is that whenever she goes to the regions, our police officers augment the security. We have many police officers in the region. If the VP goes to a certain location, we send a significant number of police officers to ensure her safety,” according to PGen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, Chief, PNP.
Removal of VP Sara Duterte’s security personnel is not politically motivated—PNP Chief
Marbil insisted that the decision to remove VP Sara’s security detail was not politically motivated.
He explained that the real reason was a shortage of police officers in Metro Manila, which led him to request the removal of some officers assigned to VP Sara’s security.
“We showed you that we’ve downloaded a lot in the NHQ and in other offices. Our priority is NCR. There is a significant shortage of police officers there, so we’ve reassigned more or less 640 officers, including about 225 from the PSPG. Initially, we reassigned 150 on July 1 to NCRPO. Now, we’ve reassigned 75 from the VP’s security detail, but it’s not a major issue. I told the Chief of Staff to ask if there’s a shortage and we will provide additional support,” Marbil added.
The number of PNP personnel assigned to the Office of the Vice President has decreased from 106 to 31, which includes 7 officers and 24 non-commissioned officers.
Despite this, VP Sara is still grateful for the service of her former security personnel.
The PNP reiterated that they will provide immediate security for the Vice President if needed.
And it’s just that the police are currently unable to provide security due to the shortage of personnel in NCR.
VP Sara Duterte’s security is now being managed by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro through the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“Now it’s a security of the SND that’s part of the Presidential Security Command the security of our Vice President” Marbil added.
