PNP: Police bodyguards for Ruffa, daughters only temporary

The three police escorts assigned to secure actress Sharmaine Ruffa Gutierrez and her two daughters are only temporary and will be recalled once she hires private bodyguards. Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Oscar Calderon stressed this Saturday amid persistent speculation that the PNP is giving the actress special treatment. “Temporary lang ito, kukuha sila ng security guard in the future (This is just a temporary arrangement. We were made to understand that they will be hiring private guards in the near future)," Calderon said in an interview on dzBB radio. But he did not give a timetable as to when Gutierrez will get private bodyguards to replace the three PNP Police Security Protection Office (PSPO) personnel. Last Thursday, the PNP-PSPO granted Gutierrez’s request for police bodyguards for her and her two daughters. Gutierrez claimed receiving threats from estranged husband Yilmaz Bektas. Gutierrez has custody of her two daughters by Bektas, Loren and Venice. PSPO head Chief Supt. Romeo Hilomen approved the detailing of three PSPO personnel to the actress following a “threat assessment" on her formal request. Calderon said the request was granted because an assessment affirmed that “there was a threat to Ruffa from the other party." “Para ma-stabilize lang ang situation para mapakalma ... Obligasyon namin ito bilang pulis, may threat assessment naman kami (This arrangement is intended to stabilize and calm the situation. Besides, it’s our obligation as policemen to protect. And this was based on a threat assessment we conducted)," he said. - GMANews.TV