31 cops still detailed as security of VP Duterte: PNP

MANILA – Vice President Sara Duterte still has 31 police officers assigned to her as security escorts, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, said on Wednesday.

Marbil made the clarification after the Vice President confirmed that 75 PNP Police and Security and Protection Group (PSPG) personnel assigned to the Office of the Vice President were recalled to augment police forces in the National Capital Region (NCR).

"Maliit lang ang portion na tinanggal natin sa security ng ating minamahal na VP (We recalled only small portion of security of our beloved VP). On the part of the PNP, we have 106 PNP personnel [assigned to her]. Ang naiwan sa kanya (What left to her) is 31 – seven officers and 24 PNCOs [non-commissioned officers] ," he said in a media interview.

He said the decision to pull out 75 of the 106 police personnel assigned to the Office of the Vice President was not done unilaterally as consultations were made before the decision was reached.

"We requested the Office of the Vice President for a possible pull out of our 75 personnel because we really need our personnel on the ground in the National Capital Region, and they agreed," Marbil said.

Marbil said the PNP is committed to secure the Vice President since her security is augmented by the local police force every time she visits provinces. (PNA)