MANILA, Philippines — Following the removal of 75 cops assigned to her security detail, Vice President Sara Duterte said Tuesday that the public doesn’t have to worry about her and said this is part of her service as a government official.
“Don’t worry about me. And you don’t need to contribute money for my security. Working in the government is a dedication of life for the country. We all know that this is part of the service,” Duterte said in Filipino.
This came a day after she posted an open letter to General Rommel Francisco Marbithe, chief of the Philippine National Police, denouncing the removal of over 75 police officials under her security detail which she tagged as a form of “political harassment.”
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.
Although the relief of 75 police officers in her security detail “won’t affect her work” in the Office of the Vice President, she now appealed to the public about the safety of her family following the release of the open letter.
“Do not allow any violence against my mother, wife, and four children, whether personal or online. And if anything happens, do not let anyone who brings harm to them go unpunished,” she said.
Marbil removed the security detail of Duterte on July 22 which, Duterte said, jeopardized the safety of her family.
PSPG Director Police Brigadier General William Segun said 31 PNP personnel were still assigned to Duterte’s security detail, while the previous 75 PSPG personnel had been redeployed to the National Capital Region Police.
The PNP said that Marbil’s recent directive was informed by a thorough threat assessment, which pinpointed individuals and groups posing the highest risk.
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 likewise 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.
