A lawmaker suggested that Vice President Sara Duterte’s reaction to the Philippine National Police (PNP) reducing her security detail was an attempt to divert attention from the criticism she faced for traveling to Germany during the onslaught of Typhoon Carina.
Manila 3rd District Rep. Joel Chua dismissed the idea that politics were involved, saying the controversy over the Vice President’s security detail could be a strategic move to shift focus away from her actions during a critical time.
“On the contrary, tingin ko wala namang pamumulitika akong nakikita. Baka mamaya dina-divert lang niya ang issue dahil naalala ninyo sumagot siya tungkol dito nung pumutok ang issue na siya ay nagpunta sa Germany sa kasagsagan ng bagyo,” Chua said during a press conference at the House of Representatives.
Chua was reacting to the Vice President’s open letter to PNP chief Gen. Romel Francisco Marbil, accusing him of lying about the reasons for pulling out her security detail.
Marbil had earlier ordered the transfer of 75 police officers from Duterte’s personal protection detail to other assignments, particularly in Metro Manila.
Chua expressed support for the PNP’s decision as he underscored the need to respect its judgment and operational requirements.
“Unang-una po sa lahat, dapat respetuhin natin ‘yung desisyon ng PNP dahil sila naman po ang nakakaalam kung saan dapat dinidestino ang ating mga kapulisan,” Chua pointed out.
He added: “Dapat po natin isipin din na kadalasan ang kapulisan talagang shortage tayo pagdating dito. Hindi naman po talaga totally tinanggal sa kanya, binawasan lamang dahil ito gagamitin sa mas kinakailangang mga ahensya o assignment.”
Chua also urged the public to avoid attributing political motives to the PNP’s decisions and trust its judgment in managing its personnel and resources effectively.
“So hindi naman dapat lahat binibigyan ng malisya o kinukulayan ng politika ‘yung mga action, lalong-lalo na kung ito ay ginagawa lamang nila ang kanilang trabaho bilang pulis,” he stressed.
Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga 3rd District Rep. Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr. echoed Chua’s sentiments, noting that security detail adjustments are common and necessary.
“Kami ring mga congressman minsan dalawa lang ang security namin. Umiikot kami sa mga distrito, minsan ipu-pull out ang mga security namin wala kaming magagawa kasi meron silang paggagamitan na iba. We have to understand that situation sana,” Gonzales said.
Meanwhile, Chua clarified that the Vice President’s security had not been entirely removed.
“As we speak, 31 pa rin po ‘yung security na naka-detail po sa kanya. Pwede po natin kwestyunin kung totally tinanggalan po siya ng security,” Chua said.
In fact, Chua said it started with around 400 security personnel, making Duterte the “most secured Vice President in history.”
“Kaya lang siyempre we have to consider na marami ring binabantayan ang ating kapulisan. So, right now tingin ko dapat respetuhin na lang po natin ang trabaho ng kapulisan at tignan naman po natin na ito po ay pagbibigay pa rin ng proteksyon sa kanya,” he added.
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