- Sara blasts PNP chief over security detail reduction
VICE PRESIDENT Sara Duterte publicly accused Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Rommel Marbil of political harassment for recalling her close-in security back to Camp Crame.
In an open letter that she penned and released on Facebook on Monday, July 29, she said the recent relief of her police security detail was a targeted maneuver in response to her decision to step down as a Department of Education secretary.
She also cited the auspicious timing of the release of the viral video showing allegedly President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. using an illegal substance. The leaked CCTV footage from the airport showing her and her family while heading to the plane for Germany also allowed her to conclude that she was being persecuted.
“Let us spare our people from all the lies. Let us call it what it is — a clear case of political harassment,” she wrote.
Duterte highlighted several inconsistencies in Marbil’s previous statements, including the transfer of PNP personnel from Mindanao to the National Capital Region despite the former’s need for more police officers.
She also mentioned a recent incident where PNP operatives attempted to “case” (surveillance) her residence, raising concerns about her family’s safety.
The vice president emphasized her right to choose her security personnel, stating, “When it comes to the security of my family, I will be the one to say who is worthy, not you. You are just the law, not God.”
Duterte concluded by urging Marbil to focus on addressing the country’s pressing issues like flooding, poverty, and crime instead of targeting her.
She also vowed to return the 45 PNP personnel Marbil assigned to her, suggesting they would be better utilized fighting crime and drugs.
“Uulitin ko, wala akong problema sa pagbawi sa mga PNP personnel bilang security team ng Office of the Vice President (OVP). Kaya kong magtrabaho ng walang security (I repeat, I have no problem with the relief of the PNP personnel as the security team of the Office of the Vice President. I can work without security,” she added.
Meanwhile, when asked to comment on Duterte’s letter on Monday, Police Regional Office XI spokesperson Major Catherine Dela Rey denied knowledge of any surveillance on the vice president’s residence in Davao City.
Photo courtesy of OVP Facebook page
