Senator Imee Marcos has admitted that she is unfamiliar with Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Rommel Marbil in the wake of the recent removal of 75 police security details assigned to Vice President Sara Duterte.
In a statement on Facebook, the Senator criticized the move of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and asserted that Duterte should have her security details back.
"First, she is the second highest elected official in the country, whose safety must never be compromised. Second, she is a Duterte, who, like her father, is a staunch defender of law and order, and thus a top target of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army’s order of battle," Marcos said.
"At sino naman yang Rommel Marbil? Ni hindi ko nga siya kilala," she added.
In a separate interview during Magandang Umaga Pilipinas, Marcos was asked about her recent statement about Marbil.
"Mainit ang ulo ko, pasensya. Hindi ako nakatiis. Kasi totoo hindi ko siya kilala promise, kahit makita ko siya sa daan hindi ko alam itsura," said Sen. Marcos.
"Hindi ko alam kasi hindi dumadaan sa Commission on Appointments yung mga pulis," she furthered.
Duterte had previously described the recall of her security detail as a “clear case of political harassment.” She posted a lengthy letter on Facebook accusing Marbil of dishonesty regarding the withdrawal of her protection.
Marbil, however, defended the decision by stating that no credible threat against Duterte had been identified adding that the pull-out of personnel was due to the increasing need for police in Metro Manila.
Duterte questioned Marbil’s understanding of what constitutes a threat and asserted that she, not Marbil, should decide who is fit to handle her family's security.
"Tandaan mo, pagdating sa seguridad ng aking pamilya, ako ang magsasabi kung sino ang karapat-dapat, hindi ikaw. Batas ka lang, hindi ka Diyos," said Duterte.
