Following the removal of 75 cops assigned to her security detail, Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday called on her supporters and allies at the Senate to ensure the safety of her family.
Duterte made the remark after Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Monday encouraged Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel “who are good at unarmed combat and volunteering” to provide additional security for the Vice President.
While she appreciates the effort, Duterte said that they should not worry about her, and instead give protection to her mother, husband, and four children.
“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. Alam nating lahat na bahagi ito ng serbisyo,” she said.
(Don’t worry about me, and you don’t need to contribute money for my security. Working in the government means sacrificing one’s life for the people. We all know that’s part of public service.)
“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. At kung sakali man, huwag ninyong palampasin ang sinumang gagawa ng kapahamakan laban sa kanila,” the Vice President added.
(I only have one request from you — the safety of my family. Don’t allow any violence against my mother, wife and four children, either personally or online. And in any case, don’t let anyone who would harm them get away with it.)
Last Monday, Duterte slammed PNP chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil following the relief of some members of the PNP Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) personnel assigned for her security, calling the move a “clear case of political harassment.”
In an open letter to Marbil, Duterte said the recall of the cops came after the following events: her resignation as secretary of the Department of Education (DepEd), her remark comparing the State of the Nation Address (SONA) to a catastrophic event, and the release of video supposedly showing President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. using illegal drugs.
Duterte also implied that the recall of the security personnel put her family at risk.
“Ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng ‘threat’ sa iyo? Ang banta ba ay maaari lamang magmula sa mga external elements? Hindi na ba ‘threat’ kung ang harassment ay nanggagaling mismo sa mga tauhan ng gobyerno?” she asked.
(What does ‘threat’ mean to you? Can threats only come from external elements? Isn’t it a ‘threat’ if the harassment comes from the government personnel themselves?)
Marbil on Sunday issued a directive to rationalize the deployment of the PSPG personnel, prioritizing individuals identified with high-security threats.
Despite this, Marbil said that the PNP continues to provide top-tier security services to Duterte, noting that she “retains the most extensive security detail compared to her predecessors.” — VDV, GMA Integrated News
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