PNP fields 25 cops to secure Duterte

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed 25 officers to the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) of Vice President Sara Duterte.

PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) asked for the additional officers to augment Duterte’s security detail while an investigation is ongoing of some VPSPG members who were involved in an incident at the House of Representatives detention center and the Veterans Memorial Medical Center.

“Two days ago, we turned over 25 police officers, as requested by the AFP, to replace security personnel involved in the incident last Saturday,” Fajardo said.

“We will have to wait to see if these 25 officers will be accepted or if they will face the same fate as the 31 officers from last July, who were underutilized. But, regardless, we are simply responding to the AFP’s request,” she said.

Fajardo emphasized there is a strict vetting process when deploying security personnel for both the President and Vice President.

“Since this concerns the President and Vice President, the personnel will undergo a strict vetting process to ensure that all those assigned to their security details pass the standards set by the Presidential Security Command,” she said.

Fajardo confirmed the PNP has not received any reports of threats against Vice President Duterte.

“I also verified that there are no reports of any threats against the VP on the PNP’s side. However, the PNP remains open to collaboration. If there were any threats, I am assuming that, as part of security protocols, they would have been communicated to the PSC which is responsible for the security and safety of the Vice President,” she said.

PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Brig. Gen. Nicolas Torre III said that Duterte, along with VPSPG commander Col. Raymund Dante Lachina and others, will face charges of direct assault, disobedience, and grave coercion due to the recent altercations.

Torre said that Duterte and her security detail forcibly took custody of her chief of staff, Zulieka Lopez, which led to a confrontation with the officers who were executing a House order.

“During the incident, as seen in the videos, Vice President Duterte and her security detail pushed the police officers. This constitutes direct assault,” Torre said.