AFP verifying identities of personnel in Pulong Duterte’s viral video

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is looking into the identities of personnel providing security to Davao City Representative Paolo "Pulong" Duterte following a viral video. 

“The AFP confirms that Representative Paolo Duterte has been duly authorized by the Commission on Elections to retain a security detail composed of AFP personnel, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations during the election period,” AFP public affairs office chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement late Wednesday evening. 

“In line with this, the AFP is currently undertaking an internal inquiry to thoroughly verify and validate the identities of the personnel designated to provide security to Representative Duterte,” he added.

Earlier, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Rommel Marbil said that two cops and two soldiers were spotted in the footage wherein Duterte was seen assaulting a man in a bar in Davao City. 

Marbil said the two cops were not authorized to provide security for Duterte. 

“Meron po kaming nakita sa video na apat po, dalawang pulis at dalawang armed forces. Doon sa dalawang pulis, they are not authorized, they are moonlighting,” Marbil said.

(We saw in the video that there were four, two police officers and two armed forces personnel. For the police officers, they are not authorized, they are moonlighting.)

Marbil earlier said the two police officers seen in the video and their commanders will be discharged from the service for allegedly moonlighting for Duterte.

Trinidad, meanwhile, said that the AFP will closely coordinate and fully cooperate with the PNP and other concerned agencies in relation to any inquiries or investigations pertaining to Duterte’s security detail. 

“The AFP remains a professional and disciplined organization committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all personnel conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of military service,” Trinidad said.

A businessman earlier filed a complaint for physical injuries and grave threats against Duterte before the Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with the February 23 incident.

Duterte has chosen to remain silent regarding the complaint.

“Sa mga kapatid kong Davaoeño, ngayon may nakita na naman kayong video. Matagal-tagal na itong nangyari. Ah sige lang, nasa sa inyo pa rin ang desisyon kung sino ang inyong ibobotong congressman sa unang distrito. 'Di ako makikialam,” he said in Cebuano in a video that was posted on his Facebook account.

(To my fellow Davaoeños, you have seen another video. It's been quite some time since this happened. Ah, it's okay, the decision is still up to you as to who you will vote for as congressman in the first district. I will not interfere.) —VAL, GMA Integrated News