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

Later in the day, the PNP said it has filed complaints for direct assault, disobedience, and grave coercion against the Vice President and her security officers.

In a statement, the PNP said it has filed the complaints against Duterte, Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) head Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica, and other John Does with the Quezon City's Prosecutor's Office.

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.

“Dr. Van Jason Villamor of the PNP Health Service, along with his witnesses filed the complaint and swore before the prosecutor to the truthfulness of the allegations outlined in their affidavits,” the PNP said.

“The charges accuse Vice President Duterte, Col. Lachica, and other individuals of unlawful acts related to the assault, disobedience, and coercion that occurred during the incident,” it added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News