25 cops deployed as Sara's guards amid possible recall of military security

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it has deployed 25 police personnel to the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) assigned to guard Vice President Sara Duterte amid the possible recall of military personnel from the unit.

In a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) requested for police personnel for Duterte's security.

Asked about AFP's reason for the request, Fajardo said, "That was, I think, triggered by the possible recall of some of the AFP personnel under detail po sa VPSPG as a result of what happened po last Saturday."

According to Fajardo, the 25 cops were sent to the VPSPG on Tuesday.

In an ambush interview later in the day, AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said the VPSPG would be temporarily replaced with new military and police personnel.

Brawner said VPSPG personnel would be replaced in the meantime to ensure effective security for the vice president.

"The reason why we are doing this is because we received a subpoena from [the] Philippine National Police. Iimbestigahan yung mga members ng VPSPG. Hindi pa namin alam 'yung specifics ng kaso or yung investigation," he said.

(The reason why we are doing this is because we received a subpoena from the Philippine National Police. VPSPG members will be investigated. We do not yet know the specifics of the case or the investigation.)

"But because may subpoena sila, it means to say hindi nila kayang gampanan yung tungkulin nila to protect and secure the Vice President. That is why we are temporarily pulling them out, replacing them. We are going to replace them," he added. — VDV, GMA Integrated News