PNP's Marbil denies pressure over recall of VP Duterte's security

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Rommel Marbil on Monday denied that political pressure was behind the recall of police officers detailed for Vice President Sara Duterte's security.

"Wala pong political pressure. Ang ginagawa po natin is to really rationalize yung deployment ng PNP natin," Marbil testified during a Senate hearing.

According to the PNP Chief, it was not only Duterte's security detail that was withdrawn but others as well, even those of his "classmates who were generals."

Marbil explained that they wanted to professionalize the PNP Police Security and Protection Group, confirming there was a "perceived threat" before their deployment, and increasing their people on the ground.

"We have to rationalize our people. We have to account for them. With regard po sa iba, lahat po tinanggal natin because we don't see any threat sa mga ibang tao at ang sinasabi ko nga, kung meron pong reason, ibibigay po natin," the PNP Chief said in his Senate testimony.

Marbil added that they do not see any threats against Duterte.

"Wala po siyang threat. Wala po kaming nakita. She is being loved by our people," he said.

When asked by former PNP Chief and now Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa if there were no threats against Duterte despite her strong stand against the CPP-NPA, Marbil explained that Duterte's security was managed by the Presidential Security Command (PSC).

"The security of the President and the Vice President lies on the PSC. And we will not stop po if General [Jesus Nelson] Morales from the Presidential Security Command asks our help to ask for more personnel, then we will give po. And the one who is making a threat assessment is not [us] anymore, it's Presidential Security Command," he explained.

Dela Rosa then asked whether Duterte was allowed to handpick the PNP personnel who would be detailed for her security.

"Kasi ang reklamo nga niya, may iniwan ka nga, pero 'di niya kilala, di siya komportable. Baka pwede 'yung mga security niya na from Davao na matagal na sa kanila, na kilala niya, kumportable siya, baka pwedeng 'yun na ang ibigay natin," dela Rosa added, noting that he knew the police officers who were removed from Duterte's security detail and transferred to the National Capital Region because they were his men in the Davao City police.

Dela Rosa clarified that this request was not made as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.

"This is my personal appeal to you kasi ayaw ko talaga may mangyari sa ating Pangalawang Pangulo. Pag 'yan ang na-ambush ng NPA at nagsitakbuhan ang security niya, nakakahiya tayo pero if ibalik mo 'yung mga taga-Davao na talagang makipag patayan sa kaniya... Can I get your commitment?" he asked.

Marbil said yes.

Last week, Duterte slammed Marbil following the withdrawal of 75 cops assigned to her security detail, calling the move political harassment.

Duterte said that included in the withdrawal order were the PNP personnel who had her "trust and confidence" because some of them had been part of former President Rodrigo Duterte's security team since 2016, while the others had been in her security since 2007. — DVM, GMA Integrated News