The Philippine National Police (PNP) has assured that it remains ready to provide security for the Vice President, despite the military's reorganization of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG).
PNP Spokesperson and PRO-3 Director PBGen. Jean Fajardo stated that the 25 police officers assigned to the Vice Presidential security group have not been withdrawn or reassigned.
This development follows the Department of National Defense’s (DND) decision to approve the reorganization of the VPSPG into the AFP Security and Protection Group, which was implemented in February.
In an exclusive interview with DZRH, Fajardo stated that their personnel continues to report to Camp Aguinaldo, but she acknowledged that they are not being fully utilized at this time.
“If they need na magdagdag at magrequest po ng additional personnel po sa VSPG ay gagawin naman po natin ‘yan at may ready po na personnel ang VSPG,” said Fajardo.
Fajardo gave this assurance ahead of Vice President Sara Duterte’s return to the country from her extended stay in The Hague, Netherlands, where she had been assisting her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, who is facing crimes against humanity charges before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Last year, the PNP replaced 75 personnel who were assigned to the Vice President’s security group.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed over the weekend that the VPSPG has been reorganized into the AFP Security and Protection Group.
According to the AFP Public Affairs Office, the VP Security Group was not abolished, but instead modified to streamline the "security and protection operations."
“It ensures the continued, uninterrupted and robust protection of the Vice President within a more integrated and optimized framework," the AFP stated.
