PNP Chief: VP Sara Duterte Retains 389 Security Personnel

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MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte continues to have nearly 400 military and police officers in her security detail, despite the recent withdrawal of 75 police personnel, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil informed senators on Monday.


During a Senate committee hearing on public order and dangerous drugs, Marbil defended his decision to reassign the 75 police officers from the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) as part of a "rationalization" initiative aimed at enhancing police visibility across the nation.


Marbil refuted claims that he had completely removed Duterte's police escorts, clarifying that 31 PNP members remain with the VPSPG, a unit established by the Armed Forces of the Philippines for Duterte at the beginning of her term in 2022. Additionally, he stated that 358 personnel from the Armed Forces are assigned to her security detail, bringing the total to 389.


Comparisons with Previous Administration


Last week, lawyer Barry Gutierrez pointed out that Duterte's predecessor, Leni Robredo, had only 83 security personnel assigned to her, down from 108 in 2016. Gutierrez noted, “Duterte’s security is more than four times what VP Leni got.”


Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla also remarked that even after the PNP’s withdrawal, Duterte's security detail exceeds that of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.


No Threats Detected


Marbil assured the Senate that there are currently no security threats against Duterte or her family. “She has no threats. We don’t see any. She’s loved by our people,” he stated in response to a question from Senator Ronald dela Rosa, a close ally of the Vice President.


The Senate inquiry, initially focused on a police operation that failed to apprehend fugitive preacher Apollo Quiboloy in Davao City, turned into a discussion about the Vice President's security detail, with allies urging Marbil to reinstate her police escorts.


Senator Robinhood Padilla inquired if there was any "political pressure" behind the decision to remove the Vice President's police security. Marbil responded, “There’s no political pressure. What we are doing is really to rationalize the deployment of our PNP personnel.”


Call for Personal Selection


Dela Rosa noted that Duterte felt "uncomfortable" with the police officers remaining in her security detail and urged Marbil to allow the Vice President to personally select her police escorts. Marbil agreed to this request.


In a four-page open letter posted on Facebook, Duterte accused Marbil of spreading misinformation to justify the withdrawal of her police escorts, labeling the action as a “clear case of political harassment.” She stated, “Let us spare our people from all the lies. Let us call it what it is—a clear case of political harassment.”

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