Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed that a relief order was issued by the Chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday relieving all of the 75 PNP Police and Security Group personnel that were previously assigned for her protection.
It can be recalled that Department of National Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro recently issued a Department Circular No.13 removing the control of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) to Duterte through the inclusion of the unit under Presidential Security Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
However, the vice president assured that the order would not affect her work in the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
“Tuloy-tuloy pa rin ang ating trabaho upang makapaghatid tayo ng serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan — lalong-lalo na sa mga liblib o underserved communities sa ating bansa. I do hope, however, that with this latest directive of the Chief PNP, we hear fewer cries from the people regarding the proliferation of drugs in the country, and that even fewer shall fall victim to various criminal activities,” the vice president said.
In June 2022, a security unit separate from the Presidential Security Group (PSG) and assigned to the OVP was created through the efforts of the AFP.
The activation of VPSPG was even commended as it was expected to resolve the matter of continuity in security for all vice presidents of the Philippines.
This initiative by the AFP also highlighted the importance of having an independent group that will provide all Philippine vice presidents with the necessary security and protection.
