Daiven Monforte

Vice President Sara Duterte posted an open letter on her official Facebook page on Monday, addressing Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil following the removal of 75 police officers from her security detail.

Photo Courtesy of Facebook/Inday Sara Duterte.

In her letter, Duterte refuted what she called falsehoods spread by Marbil in his interviews.

“Kaya kong magtrabaho ng walang security, ngunit may problema ako sa mga kasinungalingang ipinapahayag sa taumbayan — lalo na kung ang mga kasinungalingang ito ay mula mismo sa pinakamataas na opisyal ng kapulisan,” Duterte stated.

The vice president also revealed that the Office of the Vice President (OVP) had received no formal request from the PNP regarding the possible pullout of their personnel.

“Walang request na nangyari. Sinabihan lamang ng PSPG (Police Security and Protection Group) ang OVP na kukunin nila ang mga personnel,” she said.

"Kasunod nito ay lumabas na ang Relief Order na iniutos mo. Ito ay base na rin sa dokumento ng PNP," she added.

The letter noted that the relief order came after she resigned as the secretary of the Department of Education and following the circulation of a fabricated video alleging illegal drug use by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on July 22.

She described these events as a clear case of “political harassment.”

William Segun, the PSPG Director Police Brigadier General, reported that 31 PNP personnel remain assigned to Duterte’s security detail, while the 75 officers previously assigned to her have been redeployed to the National Capital Region Police Office.

Marbil ordered the relief of the 75 officers on July 22 this year.