VP Sara won't accept replacement soldiers in VPSPG, eyes private security services

Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday is considering getting security services from private agencies amid the supposed threats to her life and the expected pullout from the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group of some soldiers.

Duterte said she had already written AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. that she would not accept replacement members from the military in the VPSPG.

“So kung mag-tanggal sila, hindi nila i-replace, iwan na lang nila kung ano ‘yung maiwan. And kung wala namang maiwan dahil tatanggalin nila lahat, I already said that I will seek security arrangements outside of the Armed Forces of the Philippines already,” Duterte told reporters. 

(If they will remove some of the personnel, then those who would remain should just stay. And if none would be left because they will remove everyone, I already told them that I will seek security arrangements outside of the AFP.) 

GMA News Online sought comment from the AFP regarding the matter and will update this story once it responds. 

Brawner has said that the VPSPG would be replaced to ensure effective security for Duterte.

However, if the entire VPSPG personnel will be pulled out, the Vice President said she would rather explore outsourcing security services from private organizations. 

Asked if that would be considered a private army, Duterte said, “No, because there are professional security services.”

“So that's not considered as a private army. And we do not know if these individuals are allowed to bring guns. So that makes them less of an army man kung wala sila[ng baril…Hindi ko alam du’n sa professional security services (if they do not have guns, but I’m not sure about the professional security services,” she added. 

She said she already told her husband, Manases Carpio, about the plan and he committed to making the necessary arrangements. So far, she said they have not yet requested proposals from private service providers.

Duterte also said she believed the private security providers would be composed of Filipino personnel. 

“I think only Filipino organizations or agencies are allowed that kind of service in the Philippines…But I know that they are Filipinos, yes,” she said. 

Last Tuesday, AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Padilla said the military organization has yet to receive any confirmation on the alleged threats against the Vice President.

Both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) also said that they did not receive any information about the matter.