MANILA, Philippines — Even if authorities recalled 75 cops in Vice President Sara Duterte’s security detail, the vice president still has 320 bodyguards, which remains higher compared to the contingent of the president, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said.
At a forum, the DOJ official said there is no big deal with the relief of cops in the vice president’s contingent, defending earlier pronouncements about why the Philippine National Police (PNP) removed 75 police officers in Duterte’s security detail.
“She still has 300 bodyguards. That’s bigger than the President’s contingent,” Remulla
Remulla declined to give specific numbers on the President’s security detail due to security concerns.
PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil removed Duterte’s security detail on July 22, which Duterte claimed jeopardized her family’s safety.
The PNP explained that the redeployment of some of Duterte’s security detail was to address a personnel shortage in Metro Manila, ensuring the move was properly coordinated.
Duterte criticized the recall as “political harassment,” noting that the transferred officers were those she trusted.
Marbil said that the police continue to provide top-tier security for Duterte, noting that she has the most extensive security detail compared to her predecessors.
A 2022 Commission on Audit report stated that Duterte’s Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group had 433 members, out of a total of 683 staff.
This is a 455 percent increase from the 78 military personnel assigned to former Vice President Leni Robredo at the end of her term in 2021.
Allies to the rescue
Go, a known Duterte family ally, has also supported the vice president and urged the national police force to not be used for “political agenda.”
My constant advice to the police is to be professional and just do what is right — protect the lives of every Filipino and fulfill your duties in accordance with the law,” Go said in a statement in Filipino.
Dela Rosa urged the members of the police force and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to speak up.
“Attention to former PNP/AFP personnel who are skilled in unarmed combat and are willing to volunteer to provide security and protection for VP Inday Sara, please sound off! This is a bayanihan effort, no salary involved,” he said.
Duterte said she was grateful to Sen. Bato Dela Rosa, Sen. Bong Go, and Sen. Robin Padilla, to the AFP and PNP personnel, including the women, and all ordinary citizens for their response to Dela Rosa’s call for voluntary assistance for Duterte’s security.
“I feel your concern, love, and support,” she said.
