MANILA, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos condemned the removal of Vice President Sara Duterte’s 75 police security detail, demanding that it be reinstated as soon as possible.
In a statement posted on her social media account on Tuesday, Marcos explained why Duterte’s security detail should be brought back.
“First, she is the second highest elected official in the country whose safety must never be compromised. Second, she is a Duterte, who, like her father, is a staunch defender of law and order, hence topping the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army’s order of battle,” said Marcos.
The senator then proceeded to lambast Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Rommel Marbil, who ordered the transfer of 75 police officers from Duterte’s personal protection detail to other assignments, particularly in Metro Manila.
READ: Sara Duterte’s PNP security reduced as no threat seen on VP – Marbil
“At sino naman ‘yang Rommel Marbil? Ni hindi ko nga ‘yan kilala,” said Marcos.
(Who’s this Rommel Marbil? I don’t even know him.)
Duterte earlier described the recall of her security detail as a “clear case of political harassment.”
To recall, the country’s second top official posted a four-page letter on her Facebook page slamming Marbil for allegedly lying about the withdrawal of her police protection detail.
READ: Sara Duterte: Removal of my PNP security a ‘political harassment’
For his part, Marbil maintained that Duterte’s security team was reduced because no threat against her had been observed.
This, however, did not sit well with Duterte, who proceeded to ask the PNP chief how he defines a threat.
“Ano ba ang ibig sabihin ng ‘threat’ sa iyo? Ang banta ba ay maaari lamang magmula sa mga external elements? Hindi na ba ‘threat’ kung ang harassment ay nanggagaling mismo sa mga tauhan ng gobyerno?” Duterte asked.
(What does “threat” mean to you? Can threats only come from external elements? Isn’t it a “threat” if the harassment comes from government personnel?)
“Tandaan mo, pagdating sa seguridad ng aking pamilya, ako ang magsasabi kung sino ang karapat-dapat, hindi ikaw. Batas ka lang, hindi ka Diyos,” she added.
(Remember, when it comes to my family’s security, I get to say who deserves it, not you. You are just the law, not God.)