Photo Courtesy of Davao CIO
THE activation of the creation of the Vice President Security Group indicates the need to have a separate security unit tasked to protect the second top official of the country, said Vice President-elect Sara Duterte.
In thanking the Department of National Defense and Armed Forces of the Philippines for the establishment of the unit, Duterte said this resolves the need to provide continuity in securing Vice Presidents.
“That foresight was demonstrated in this activation was likewise highly laudable — that it may be expected to solve the challenges if, in future elections, the vice president and the president face the misfortune of having strained relations,” she said as she went on to express her gratitude to Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino and their respective agencies for the initiative.
Centino said the unit, which was activated Friday at the military headquarters, will have the sole responsibility of securing the Vice President. Tapped to head the unit is Lt. Col. Rene Giroy.
“The AFP saw it fitting to provide the Office of the Vice President a dedicated unit that shall ensure the safety and security of the second-highest elected official in the country,” Centino said.
The unit was formerly an attached unit of the Presidential Security Group.
“I am confident that the newly-designated acting VPSPG Commander and the rest of the Officers and Enlisted Personnel entrusted to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of the Vice President and her family shall perform their responsibilities to the best of their abilities,” Centino added.
