MANILA – Vice President Sara Duterte-Carpio said her work as the second highest elected national official will not be affected by the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) move to relieve her security detail.
In a statement, Duterte-Carpio confirmed that PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil issued the relief order on 75 members of the PNP Police and Security Group (PSPG) assigned to her.
“I confirm that on July 22, 2024, an Order was issued by the Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) relieving all of the 75 PNP Police and Security Group personnel that were previously assigned for my protection,” Duterte-Carpio said.
“Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang ating trabaho upang makapaghatid tayo ng serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan — lalong-lalo na sa mga liblib o underserved communities sa ating bansa,” she added.
Duterte-Carpio also challenged Marbil and the PNP that his decision to remove hee security detail should lead to the reduction of the illegal drug trade in the country and lower crime activities.
“I do hope, however, that with this latest directive of the Chief PNP, we hear less cries from the people regarding the proliferation of drugs in the country, and that even fewer shall fall victim to various criminal activities,” Duterte-Carpio said.
Defending his move, Marbil said the PNP reduced the number of police in the Vice President’s security detail due to the shortage of police in the National Capital Region (NCR).
“What we’re doing right now, especially sa NCR na kulang kulang ang mga tao natin, we have to ano…nagbawas po kami ng mga tao na hindi naman nila kailangan,” Marbil said.
“They are saying that she is being singled out. No, we need more policemen on the ground and even retired generals, we pulled out their security because we need more men on the ground,” he added.
In light of the development, the Presidential Security Command (PSC) said they ready to guard the Vice President.
“The Presidential Security Command is ready to ensure the security and safety of the Vice President,” Brigadier General Nelson Morales, PSC commander, said./PN
