Vice President Sara Duterte appealed to Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil on Monday to spare her from supposed political harassment and lies.
In an open letter published on her Facebook page, Duterte denounced Marbil’s public statements, saying they were inconsistent and “deceptive.”
“Let us spare our people from all the lies. Let us call it what it is—a clear case of political harassment,” the Vice President said.
Marbil earlier ordered the removal of 75 police personnel from the Vice President’s security detail. The said personnel were transferred from Mindanao to Metro Manila.
Duterte noted that the relief order came after she resigned from the Department of Education after she compared the State of the Nation Address to a “catastrophic event,” and after a deepfake video of President Marcos surfaced on social media.
She clarified that the Vice President Protection Division (VPPD) assigned by the National Police Commission (Napolcom) was organized to give the second highest government official discretion over her security detail.
Duterte also insisted her security team was recalled by the PNP Police Security Protection Group without any advance notification, contrary to Marbil’s statement that they coordinated with the Office of the Vice President.
Duterte also slammed alleged attempts at invading her privacy with the release of a video footage showing her and her family departing for Germany in NAIA at the height of Super Typhoon “Carina.”
“Never mind if it was only me, but the publicized video also included my husband and minor children, which seriously threatened their security,” she said.
The PNP has yet to comment on Duterte’s open letter.
Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua, for his part, asked the Vice President to let the PNP do its job instead of accusing them of political harassment.”
Based on the records of the Vice-President Protection and Security Group (VPSPG), Duterte still has 355 security personnel left, even though her 75 police escorts have been recalled, Chua said.
Senator Christopher Go, meanwhile. echoed the appeal of the Vice President.
Go said as the vice chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order, he is “deeply concerned about recent incidents involving the PNP.”
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline “You’re not God,” VP Duterte cries foul over Marbil’s alleged lies, political harassment
