VP Sara: Removal of cops from my security detail 'political harassment'

Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday slammed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil following the relief of 75 cops assigned to her security detail, calling the move a case of political harassment.

In an open letter to Marbil, Duterte pointed out that the recall of some of the PNP Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) personnel assigned for her security came after she resigned as secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the release of the video supposedly showing President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. using illegal drugs.

“Ang relief ng mga PNP personnel ay dumating pagkatapos ko mag-resign sa DepEd, pagkatapos ko inihambing ang SONA sa isang catastrophic event, at pagkatapos lumabas ang cocaine video,” she said.

(The relief of the PNP personnel came after I resigned from DepEd, after I compared the SONA to a catastrophic event, and after the cocaine video came out.)

“Let us spare our people from all the lies. Let us call it what it is — a clear case of political harassment,” she added.

Duterte said that included in the relief order were the PNP personnel who have her "trust and confidence" because some of them are in the security of former President Rodrigo Duterte since 2016, and others have been in her own security since 2007.

“It was obviously a targeted list and a targeted maneuver — nothing else,” she added.

Duterte announced on Tuesday that 75 PSPG assigned to her security detail were taken away by the order of Marbil issued on July 22.

She had said that Marbil’s order would not affect her work in the Office of the Vice President.

The Vice President, however, said that the PNP did not request for the pull out of the PSPG personnel to augment the police force in the National Capital Region (NCR).

“Sinabihan lamang ng PSPG ang OVP na kukunin nila ang mga personnel. Hindi na kami nakipagtalo dahil ikaw naman ang batas 'di ba? Kasunod nito ay lumabas na ang Relief Orders sa utos mo. Ito ay base na rin sa dokumento ng PNP,” Duterte said.

(The PSPG only told the OVP that they would take the personnel. We didn't argue anymore because you are the law, right? After which, the Relief Orders were released at your command. This was also based on a PNP document.)

She also explained that the Vice Presidential Protection Division (VPPD) was made under the PSPG by the National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM), specifically for her security and of the next Vice Presidents of the country.

She said that she will return the other police officers who remained in her security detail to the PNP.  

Duterte also implied that the recall of the security personnel put risk to the security of her family.

“Ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng ‘threat’ sa iyo? Ang banta ba ay maaari lamang magmula sa mga external elements? Hindi na ba ‘threat’ kung ang harassment ay nanggagaling mismo sa mga tauhan ng gobyerno?”

(What does 'threat' mean to you? Can threats only come from external elements? Isn't it a 'threat' if the harassment comes from the government personnel themselves?)

“Kung talagang wala kang nakikitang banta laban sakin, bakit nagtira ka pa ng 45 na tauhan ng PNP na ikaw ang pumili? Tandaan mo, pagdating sa seguridad ng aking pamilya, ako ang magsasabi kung sino ang karapat-dapat, hindi ikaw. Batas ka lang, hindi ka Diyos,” she continued.

(If you really see no threats against me, why did you still leave 45 PNP personnel whom you choose yourself? Remember, when it comes to my family's security, I get to say who’s deserving, not you. You are just the law, you are not God.)

GMA News Online sought out the PNP for comment regarding Duterte’s statement, and will update this story once it responds.

On Sunday however, Marbil issued a directive to rationalize the deployment of PSPG personnel, prioritizing individuals identified with high-security threats.

“By rationalizing our PSPG deployment, we aim to move closer to the ideal ratio of 1:500. Reducing the unnecessary deployment of security personnel to low-threat individuals will allow us to support field operations more effectively and address other critical policing needs,” the PNP chief said.

Despite this, Marbil said that the PNP continues to provide top-tier security services to Duterte, noting that she “retains the most extensive security detail compared to her predecessors.”

PSPG Director Police Brigadier General William Segun reported that 31 PNP personnel remain assigned to Duterte’s security detail, while her previous 75 PSPG personnel were redeployed to the National Capital Region Police Office.

“Vice President Sara Duterte has more than enough security personnel compared to her predecessors, ensuring a robust and comprehensive security framework. The adjustments in security personnel reflect our commitment to adapting to current security needs while also adhering to directives that enhance overall police efficiency,” Marbil said.

The PNP chief also said that the police force is committed to providing security for the Vice President during her travels across the country.

The PNP said Marbil's recent directive was based on a comprehensive threat assessment it conducted, which identifies individuals and groups at the highest risk.

‘Don’t politicize’

Allies of the Duterte family at the Senate also backed the Vice President up, saying that she is not alone in her fight.

Senator Bong Go urged the PNP to stay true to their sworn duty and not let themselves be used by any political agenda.

“As vice chair of the Senate Committee on Public Order and a citizen of this nation, I am deeply concerned about recent incidents involving our Philippine National Police,” Go said in a statement.

“Ang lagi kong payo sa mga pulis, be professional and just do what is right — proteksyunan ninyo ang buhay ng bawat Pilipino at gampanan ang tungkulin nang naaayon sa batas! Dapat manatiling propesyunal at tapat sa sinumpaang tungkulin ang ating mga alagad ng batas alang-alang sa bayan.”

(My advice to the police is to always be professional and just do what is right — protect the lives of every Filipino and perform your duties in accordance with the law. Our law enforcement officers must remain professional and faithful to their sworn duty for the sake of the people.)

Meanwhile, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, who served as PNP chief during the Duterte administration, called on personnel of the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) who provide services to the Vice President to speak up.

“Attention former PNP/AFP pers who are good at unarmed combat & volunteering to provide security & protection to VP Inday Sara pls sound off! Bayanihan lang walang sweldo (Bayanihan only, no salary),” he said. —with a report from Joviland Rita/KG, GMA Integrated News