Vice President Sara Duterte (PNA file photo)
MANILA – Vice President Sara Duterte said Tuesday that the public does not need to volunteer to ensure her security.
This came after retired police and military personnel, as well as other private citizens responded to the calls of Senators Ronald dela Rosa, Robinhood Padilla, and Christopher Lawrence Go to render voluntary and unpaid security service for the Office of the Vice President (OVP) following the relief of 75 police escorts under her office.
“Huwag kayong mag-alala sa akin at hindi ninyo kailangan mag-ambag ng pera para sa security ko. Ang pagtatrabaho sa pamahalaan ay pag-alay ng buhay para sa bayan (Don’t worry about me and you don’t need to contribute any amount for my security. Government service is offering your life for the nation),” Duterte said in a statement.
She also expressed her gratitude to the lawmakers and private citizens showing concern for her safety.
Duterte, however, appealed for the protection of her family against any form of violence.
“Isa lang ang hiling ko sa inyo -- ang kaligtasan ng aking pamilya. Huwag ninyong payagan ang anumang karahasan sa aking ina, asawa at apat na anak, personal man o sa internet (There is only one thing I ask from you -- the safety of my family. Don’t let any form of violence to my mom, husband, and four children, either personally or in the internet),” she said.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) earlier said that the recall of police officers from protective security duties of various personalities, including some government officials, is meant to rationalize their deployment to security operations.
Duterte, meanwhile, said the relief of her police escorts will not affect how she carries out her duties.
No comment
Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said Marbil opted not to comment on the open letter “out of respect” to Duterte.
“Kung ano man itong mga usapin na ito (Whatever these issues are), we rather address this silently. Mas pinili niya tutukan itong mga pangangailangan ng ating mga pulis at huwag na sagutin kung anuman ang mga issue (He chose to focus on the needs of police and not to respond to these issues),” Fajardo said in a press briefing in Camp Crame Tuesday.
Fajardo said the PNP chief had a full schedule since last weekend when he visited police officers in Central Luzon who were affected by the recent massive floods.
On Monday, Marbil awarded two police officers who were hospitalized after being injured in arrest warrant operations that led to the death of a fugitive.
Fajardo reiterated that 31 police officers are still assigned as security escorts of the Vice President.
“There was an understanding reached on the pullout of 75 police officers while over 30 officers would be retained, aside from the security component from the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines),” Fajardo said, referring to the coordination between the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) and the Office of the Vice President.
She added that the 75 who were relieved from Duterte’s office have been reassigned to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
Fajardo also confirmed that some of Go’s police security escorts were relieved but reinstated earlier this month due to moonlighting issues.
“The director of the PSPG recalled all police officers who render protective security to all authorized individuals, including government officials. They underwent refresher training with respect to their protective security duties and after that, they were deployed again to these authorized individuals, including Senator Bong Go,” she said. (PNA)
