Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. announced on Wednesday the temporary removal of Col. Raymund Lachica from his role as Commander of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG).
Lachica is among those subpoenaed by the Philippine National Police (PNP) for their internal investigation.
In an ambush interview at Camp Aguinaldo, Brawner explained that the personnel of the VPSPG would be replaced to ensure the entire unit can effectively fulfill its duty of safeguarding the Vice President's security.
Aside from the case filed by the PNP that led to the subpoena, Brawner also reportedly learned that VP Duterte's security detail would be summoned to Congress.
"Kasama yung Commander because nga kasama siya doon sa subpoena and aside from that mayroon na balita rin kami na magkakaroon sila ng subpoena sa Kongreso," said Brawner.
"So if this investigation will continue, they will not be able to conduct the security properly and effectively. Kaya nga ang gagawin natin is that we will replace them with the fresh personnel from the AFP and the PNP," he added.
Hindi rin umano totoo ang lumabas na ulat na siya na ang direktang mamumuno sa naturang grupo. | RH 52 @ednielparrosa, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/0EkwTBkVHP
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) November 27, 2024
In a separate press briefing at Camp Crame today, November 27, PNP Spokesperson PBGen. Jean Fajardo confirmed that they have deployed 25 personnel or police officers to the VPSPG.
"As to the pullout ng 300 plus AFP contingent po sa VPSPG, I think the best person to ask there is the representative from AFP. But, on the part of the PNP, I can confirm that we sent 25 PNP personnel," said Fajardo.
Aside from the 25 PNP personnel already deployed to the VPSPG, AFP Chief Brawner has not yet mentioned the total number of personnel to be replaced as part of the Vice President's security detail.
