Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil vowed on Monday to give Vice President Sara Duterte the freedom to choose which 31 police officers will be retained in her security detail following the re-assignment of the 75 police escorts as ordered by the PNP Chief.
Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa appealed to the PNP Chief to allow the Vice President to choose her police security escorts.
Dela Rosa and Sen. Robinhood Padilla brought up the matter during the Senate investigation into the alleged overuse of force by the PNP while executing the arrest warrant against Apollo Quiboloy at the Kingdom of Jesus Christ compound in Davao City.
Senator Bong Go manifested his agreement with what his fellow senators mentioned during the committee hearing.
"Can I ask you [for the record] that ‘yung iniwan mo na 31, pwede ba na bigyan mo ng laya ang ating Vice President kung sino from sa kanyang mga former security ang pwedeng iwan mo?" dela Rosa said.
The senator reiterated that the sole purpose of his appeal is the aspect of comfort. VP Sara prefers Davao policemen mentioning the fact that she worked with them when she was still the mayor of Davao.
Dela Rosa said that he is not questioning the wisdom of the PNP Chief but he is just mere appealing in behalf of the VIce President and as normal citizen concerned of the VP's security.
Marbil clarified upon inquiry that the VP currently has 356 security escorts from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and 31 from the PNP.
Duterte had 106 police escorts but upon the mandate of the PNP Chief, 75 have been recalled and reassigned to different areas, highlighting the dire need for police on the 'ground'.
Dela Rosa firmly stated that the role of security escorts are vital most especially now that she is still facing threats from the New People's Army. Conflicting with what Marbil claimed that there are no threats toward the VP were monitored.
"Can I get your commitment?" Dela Rosa asked Marbil.
"Of course, your honor," Marbil answered.
Dela Rosa and Go had been known as allies of the Duterte family.
