By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — Vice President Sara Duterte may request the withdrawal of her Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) security detail if she no longer trusts the personnel assigned to protect her, Defense Secretary Gilberto “Gibo” Teodoro Jr. said.
The defense chief said that if Duterte genuinely has concerns about the security personnel assigned to her, she may ask that the detail be withdrawn.
Teodoro also stressed that AFP security protection is a privilege rather than a right, while describing soldiers assigned to protective duties as trained professionals expected to perform their responsibilities regardless of personalities or political considerations.
The AFP, meanwhile, has maintained that the security situation surrounding Duterte is subject to continuing assessment.
Military officials have declined to disclose specific operational details involving the vice president’s security arrangements, citing security and operational concerns.
AFP officials have said that security decisions are based on available and validated information, including assessments of possible threats.
Any adjustment to Duterte’s security detail would therefore depend on the circumstances and the assessment of the agencies responsible for her protection.
The issue intensified after Duterte publicly expressed fears for her safety and that of her family, including claims that she had faced threats and harassment dating back to 2023.
The Philippine National Police, however, said it had not established a verified threat against the vice president or her family based on the information available to it.
Police officials have also said that Duterte’s camp may submit documents or other evidence concerning the alleged threats so these can be properly assessed and investigated.
The National Bureau of Investigation likewise said it had not monitored a specific threat against Duterte but remained prepared to act should credible information be presented.
Malacañang has also called for evidence supporting Duterte’s allegations concerning threats to her and her family.
Palace officials said that security concerns should be properly reported to law enforcement agencies so they can be validated and investigated.
Duterte, for her part, has maintained that she has grounds for her security concerns and has previously claimed that she sought protection for members of her family.
Despite Teodoro’s statement that Duterte can request the withdrawal of her AFP security personnel, there has been no announcement that the military has actually removed her security detail.
The AFP has instead continued to assess the situation while maintaining that operational details surrounding the vice president’s protection cannot be publicly disclosed.
The dispute therefore remains centered on two separate questions: Duterte’s stated lack of trust in her security personnel and whether government agencies have independently verified the threats she has cited.
For now, the AFP, PNP and NBI have not publicly confirmed a specific, verified threat against Duterte or her family, while Teodoro has made clear that the vice president may seek changes to her security arrangement if she no longer has confidence in the personnel assigned to protect her.
ia/xf
