Private security for VP Sara? AFP to make sure her safety not compromised

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday said the military will ensure that the safety of Vice President Sara Duterte is not compromised amid her plan to hire private security services.

“Speaking in behalf of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we will continue to perform our mandate accordingly. The AFP will provide security accordingly,” AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla said in a press briefing.

“We will make sure that the security of the Vice President will not be compromised,” she added.

AFP chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. said that the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) would be replaced to ensure effective security for Duterte.

Duterte, in response, said she had written a letter to Brawner saying she would not accept the replacement from the military.

If the entire VPSPG personnel will be pulled out, Duterte said she would rather explore outsourcing security services from private organizations.

Padilla said she heard that there was indeed a letter from Duterte but the AFP spokesperson said she has not read its content yet.

On the part of the AFP, Padilla said the military will continue its task to secure the top leaders of the country.

“Sa AFP, mandato po namin yun na i-secure ang ating (our mandate is to secure our) President and also our Vice President. It is our mission at the Presidential Security Command to protect the President, the Vice President, and other dignitaries from harm and embarrassment. And with this mission, we have to fulfill it to the letter,” she said.

“So we will not be divulging operational details on how this will ensue but we are ensuring that we will do our mandate accordingly to protect our top leaders accordingly,” she added.—AOL, GMA Integrated News