PNP Chief Silent on Sara Duterte’s Open Letter

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rommel Marbil has chosen not to respond to an open letter from Vice President Sara Duterte concerning the recall of her 75 police security personnel.

During a press conference on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, PNP Public Information Office (PIO) Chief Colonel Jean Fajardo stated that Marbil decided to remain silent out of respect for Duterte.

“The chief PNP opted not to answer whatever our Vice President said, of course out of respect to our VP. Whatever these matters are, we would rather address this silently,” Fajardo said.

Fajardo added, “Our PNP chief himself requested that we let our police officers do their jobs and spare the PNP organization from these political issues and noise. That way, these discussions won’t drag on.”

However, Fajardo assured that the PNP remains open to communication to resolve the matter.

She reiterated that the purpose of the recall was to increase police visibility in communities, noting that nearly 600 police personnel, including those assigned to the National Police Headquarters, were reassigned to the National Capital Region Police Office.

Fajardo also denied any operations targeting Duterte.

In an open letter to Marbil on Monday, July 29, Duterte called the recall of her 75 police security personnel “a clear case of political harassment.” She suggested that her resignation from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s Cabinet and her absence from his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) might have prompted the recall.

The order was issued by the PNP chief’s office on July 22, the same day as Marcos’ SONA.

Duterte emphasized that the recalled security personnel were individuals she trusted, some of whom had been with her since 2007. She expressed concern for her family’s safety, especially her mother, husband, and four children.

“Don’t worry about me. You don’t need to contribute money for my security. Working in the government means sacrificing one’s life for the country. We all know it’s part of the service,” Duterte said, thanking Senators Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa and Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go for their support.

“I have only one request from you — the safety of my family. Do not allow any violence against my mother, husband, and four children, either in person or on the internet. And if anyone tries to harm them, do not let it go unpunished,” she added.

Dela Rosa, a former PNP chief and a strong supporter of the Dutertes, urged the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to provide additional security for the Vice President.

Fajardo also confirmed that the security detail assigned to Senator Go, former President Rodrigo Duterte’s long-time aide, had been recalled for retraining after some members of the Police Security Protection Group (PSPG) were found moonlighting.

“They were subjected to refresher training regarding security provision, and after completing the training, they were reassigned to authorized individuals, including Senator Bong Go,” Fajardo explained.