Brawner denies taking over VP’s security

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is not taking over the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG), AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said yesterday, but he clarified that several members of the security team would be replaced amid an ongoing investigation.

“It is not true that I will take over the VPSPG. It is still under the Presidential Security Command. I cannot do that because there are many other security issues in the country that we need to address,” Brawner said in a media interview after the closing ceremony of the AFP Leadership Summit at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.

Brawner said the movement within the VPSPG followed the service of a subpoena by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Col. Raymund Dante Lachica, chief of the security detail of the Vice President, and several of its members.

“We decided to comply with the subpoena so that they can address the investigation. What we will do is temporarily replace them with a contingent from the PNP and the AFP,” Brawner said.

He explained that some military officers would be temporarily reassigned from the VPSPG during the investigation.

Assault charges

The PNP earlier filed a formal complaint against the Vice President, Lachica, and several others.

The complaint included charges of direct assault, disobedience, and grave coercion following recent confrontations between Duterte’s camp and police officers at the House of Representatives Detention Center and the Veterans Memorial Medical Center.

Dr. Van Jason Villamor of the PNP Health Service, along with several witnesses, submitted a sworn complaint to Assistant City Prosecutor Rommel de los Reyes in Quezon City.

PNP Chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said the police respect the legal process and trust that the courts will conduct a fair investigation. He emphasized that the PNP will cooperate fully with the legal proceedings, ensuring transparency and accountability.

VP’s security a top priority

Brawner stressed that the security of Vice President Sara Duterte remained a top priority for the AFP.

“Because if something happens to the Vice President, it could lead to chaos, especially considering her statement that if anything happened to her, she would take action against the President, First Lady and House Speaker,” he said.

The VPSPG is composed of 350 personnel, although Brawner said the exact number of replacements would depend on the specifics of the case and the ongoing investigation.

“We still don’t know the specifics of the case or the investigation. We are studying it further, including how many members based on the subpoena will be replaced, including the commander,” he said.

Despite the political tensions in the government leadership, Brawner said the military would remain apolitical and professional.