VP Sara security replaced with new AFP, PNP personnel — Brawner

The Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) will be temporarily replaced with new military and police personnel, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said Wednesday.

In an ambush interview, Brawner said they will be replaced in the meantime to ensure effective security for Vice President Sara Duterte.

“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.

(But because they have a subpoena, it means to say they cannot fulfill their duty to protect and secure the Vice President. That is why we are temporarily pulling them out, replacing them. We are going to replace them.)

Earlier in the day, the PNP said it has deployed 25 police personnel to the VPSPG in anticipation of the the possible recall of military personnel from the unit.

At a press briefing, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said the 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."

Complaints vs VP Sara, security officers

The PNP also said Wednesday that it is preparing to file complaints against the Vice President and her security officers and staff for alleged resistance and disobedience to authority and other offenses.

These stemmed from the disruption at the House of Representatives Detention Center and Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) involving the detention of Duterte’s chief of staff Atty. Zuleika Lopez.

PNP chief Police General Rommel Marbil asked Brawner for the identities of the VPSPG personnel who reportedly assisted in the "forced transfer” of Lopez from the VMMC to St. Luke's Medical Center using a private ambulance.

"In a video that surfaced, VPSPG head, Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica, was seen physically pushing and assaulting the PNP doctor-in-charge, which could lead to a direct assault complaint," Marbil said in his letter.

Marbil pointed out that any attempt to resist or disobey lawful authority undermines the integrity of democratic institutions and the principle of equality before the law. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News