Vice President Sara Duterte countered PNP Police General Rommel Marbil for his alleged 'lies' regarding his statements in connection with the removal of 75 police personnel from the VP's security detail.
Previously, Duterte reiterated that the removal of police personnel won't affect her work in the Office of the Vice President (OVP).
According to Duterte, the PNP Chief appeared in several interviews and has spoken lies about her. She mentioned that she understands the side of Marbil for it is typical for a liar to to create different stories and reasons.
However, these lies prompted her to release a letter addressed to Marbil.
"Hindi ko na maatim ang tuloy-tuloy na panlilinlang sa aking mga kababayan," Duterte said in the open letter on Monday.
The VP then clarified that the Vice Presidential Protecton Division is under Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) that was formed to prohibit interference of the PNP Chief in the Vice President's security detail.
Additionally, Duterte mentioned that the pull-out was done abruptly and without notice. The PNP didn't request for a possible pull-out of the police personnels in the OVP.
On the contrary, Marbil mentioned that the PNP requested for a pull-out due to the increasing need of personnel in the NCR, to which the OVP allegedly agreed.
"Walang request na nangyari. Sinabihan lamang ng PSPG ang OVP na kukunin nila ang mga personnel," Duterte said.
"Hindi na kami nakipagtalo dahil ikaw naman ang batas 'di ba?" she added.
Furthermore, regarding Marbil's statement that there is no threat to Duterte's life, she responded that the release of a video showing her leaving the country - a video that should only have been seen by a select few and employees - clearly poses a threat not only to her but also to the lives of her husband and children, who were also seen in the footages.
Duterte also stated that operatives went to her house to conduct surveillance. Allegedly they are trying to locate the exact location where the Vice President resides, where her children also live.
"Kung hindi ito napigilan ng mga nagmagandang loob na opisyal ng homeowners’ association, hindi ko na alam kung ano pa ang maaring mangyari," Duterte mentioned.
With this, she emphasized that when it comes to her family's secuirty, she will be the one to decide and not Marbil.
"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.
Duterte mentioned that the pull-out of several security personnel is a clear act of political harassment.
"It was obviously a targeted list and a targeted maneuver — nothing else," she said.
"Ang gusto ko lamang ay huwag mo na akong banggitin sa mga pagpapa-interview mo," she added.
VP Sara then urged the PNP Chief that they should direct their efforts in helping people who faces various problems in the country.
"At laging tandaan — para hindi magkabuhol-buhol ang kwento mo, laging magsasabi ng totoo," Duterte said in closing.
In an official statement released on July 23, VP confirmed the order of PNP Chief relieving all 75 PNP police and security group personnel that were assigned for her protection.
