PNP chief commits to return VP Sara's trusted cops after Bato's plea

Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to return Vice President Sara Duterte’s security detail from Davao, Mav Gonzales reported Monday on "24 Oras."

“Pakiusap ko kahit di mo ibalik same number na tinanggal mo. Ibalik mo lang mga taga-Davao na palagay ang kalooban niya. Tanggalin mo na lang yung di mo na kilala. Pwedeng ibalik mo, can I get your commitment?” Bato told PNP Chief Police General Rommel Marbil during a Senate hearing.

(I request that even if it is not the same number, the cops from Davao would be returned to the Vice President to give her peace of mind Just remove those she did not know. Can you return them, can I get your commitment?)

“Of course your honor,” Marbil replied. 

The police chief said 75 cops were removed from Duterte’s security detail as the PNP arranged the cop’s deployment. 

He added that Duterte has remaining 31 cops in her security detail, aside from the 358 Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel.

Based on the assessment of the Presidential Security Command, Marbil said they do not see any threats against Duterte.

Marbil also stressed that there is no political pressure behind the recall of Duterte’s security detail. 

Arrest warrant vs. Quiboloy

Marbil also defended the police force from allegations that they used excessive force in issuing the arrest warrant against Kingdom of Jesus Christ (KOJC) leader Apollo Quiboloy and five others, who face charges including child abuse and qualified trafficking.

“You use women and children as human shields. Armed with bolos and other bladed weapons, male members of this group engage in violent confrontation,” Marbil said.

KOJC CEO Nelida Lizada denied the accusation and said they only defended their properties as she claimed that the PNP attacked them in a “horrible and terroristic way” at dawn.

Marbil said the police did not attack even when they were water cannoned by Quiboloy’s supporters. 

KOJC legal counsel Israelito Torreon said the supporters of Quiboloy used water canon to defend their properties as there was no search warrant presented to them.

Earlier today, a search warrant was reportedly served on a farm near KOJC’s Glory Mountain.

Torreon said they received a report that a cop pointed a gun and confiscated a cell phone, which barred the supporters in Davao from calling them. 

“Sa PNP, I assure you, i-surrender n'yo lang si Pastor Quiboloy and five others, 100% you will see we follow the rules, human rights. We assure you po,” Marbil said.

(We assure you that in the PNP, you just need to surrender Pastor Quiboloy and five others. You will see that we follow the rules and human rights 100 percent.)—Celine Serquina/LDF, GMA Integrated News