PNP: 373 police recalled from various security details in July

PNP Chief PGen Rommel Francisco Marbil —Inquirer photo/Grig C. Montegrande

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 373 personnel of the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) assigned to various government and private sector protectees were recalled in July this year, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

PNP revealed that of this figure 225, 75 personnel previously assigned to Vice President Sara Duterte’s security detail were redeployed to the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).

“In addition, 277′ excess’ officers from the national headquarters, 43 newly promoted lieutenants, and 103 newly appointed police commissioned officers were similarly reassigned to the NCRPO, bringing the total to 647,” the national police said in a statement on Wednesday.

READ: 400 AFP personnel assigned to VP Duterte’s security group – spox

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil explained that the 373 personnel “collectively account for a combined monthly salary of approximately P12.5 million in taxpayer money.”

“These officers are now serving local communities, ensuring that police resources are maximized for the broader public,” Marbil added.

Not singled out

He further explained that the PNP released the data following speculations that Duterte was “singled out in the recall process.”

“The 298 PSPG personnel had already been recalled and redeployed to other police units several weeks prior to the recall of the 75 personnel from the Vice President’s detail,” Marbil said, dispelling such speculations.

Among those whose security details were recalled were 27 former government officials, 17 national and local officials, 16 residents, seven former congressmen, six mayors, six barangay captains, six bureau heads, one governor, and an undersecretary.

“The PNP’s decision to rationalize the deployment of our officers is part of our commitment to better serve the people. This is to ensure that our police force is deployed where most needed, enhancing our public order and safety efforts,” Marbil said.

Earlier, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) revealed that 400 of its personnel were assigned under Duterte’s security and protection group.

The AFP explained that the increase in the number of Duterte‘s security detail members was due to the fact that the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group is now under the Presidential Security Command.

On July 23, Duterte on Tuesday confirmed that the PNP pulled out all 75 members of her security group.

A week later, on July 29, the vice president slammed PNP chief Gen. Rommel Marbil for his alleged lies concerning the withdrawal of her police protection detail “immediately” after she resigned from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s Cabinet, her comment on his State of the Nation Address, and the circulation of the chief executive’s video online purportedly using illegal drugs.