PNP pulls out 75-man OVP security – Duterte

Metro Manila, Philippines – Vice President Sara Duterte confirmed on Tuesday that a 75-man police security detail for her office has been withdrawn.

In a statement, Duterte said the order was carried out by the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday, the same day President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Duterte assured the public this will not affect her work as vice president.

“I do hope, however, that with the latest directive of the Chief PNP, we hear less cries from the people regarding the proliferation of drugs in the country, and that even fewer shall fall victim to various criminal activities,’” she said.

In 2022, a Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group was formed composed of military and police officers. The security detail has over 400 personnel based on OVP data in 2023.

The pullout of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) security detail came after Duterte stepped down as education chief and vice-chairperson of the anti-insurgency task force.

Duterte skipped the SONA on Monday and instead went to Bohol to pay her respects to the late Vice Governor Dionisio Victor Balite.

The vice president cited personal reasons for quitting the Cabinet.

NewsWatch Plus Correspondent Lance Mejico contributed to this report.