Vice President Sara Duterte | PHOTO: Official facebook page of Inday Sara Duterte
MANILA, Philippines — It is not a “bad matter” to remove some of Vice President Sara Duterte’s security personnel, according to Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla.
This was his response when asked for a comment on Duterte’s appeal for protection for her family, following the recall of 75 police officers from her personal protection team.
READ: Sara Duterte appeals protection for her family – physically or online
“There were 400 security personnel assigned to her. There’s still about 320 security personnel assigned to her,” Remulla said at a Kapihan session with reporters on Thursday.
“I don’t think it’s a bad matter to withdraw some of the personnel,” he added.
Remulla also pointed out that Duterte has more security personnel than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
“She still has [over] 300 bodyguards, which is bigger than the president’s security,” the Department of Justice chief said.
In a Facebook post on Tuesday, Duterte said she hoped for her family’s safety, as she thanked Senators Ronald Dela Rosa, Robin Padilla, and Bong Go for their support after the Philippine National Police (PNP) pulled out 75 cops from her security group.
READ: Sara Duterte’s security reduced, not taken out: ‘Don’t politicize it’
“Huwag kayong mag-alala sa akin. At hindi ninyo kailangan mag-ambag ng pera para sa security ko. Ang pagtatrabaho sa pamahalaan ay pag-alay ng buhay para sa bayan. Alam nating lahat na bahagi ito ng serbisyo,” Duterte said.
(Don’t worry about me. And you don’t need to contribute money for my security. Working in the government means sacrificing one’s life for the people. We all know it’s part of the service.)
The Office of the Vice President has yet to issue a comment on Remulla’s statement.