Robredo spox: VP gets tighter security as she takes on drug czar role

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo’s security detail has been “stepped up” after accepting the offer of President Rodrigo Duterte to become the government’s anti-drug czar, her spokesperson said Saturday.

“Siyempre bago niya tinanggap ito Nagkaroon ng pag-uusap ang vice presidential security. Handa sila magstep-up nung kanilang security measures. We appreciate na any support na makukuha natin sa Presidente at iba’t ibang law enforcement bodies,” lawyer Barry Gutierrez said over radio station dzMM.

[Before she had accepted the offer, the Vice Presidential Security conducted a dialogue and they are ready to step-up their security measures. We appreciate any support that we can receive from the President.]

Gutierrez said Robredo studied the implications of becoming the co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) alongside the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

Robredo said there might be risks for her family as drug syndicates may threaten their security, Gutierrez said.

“Yung lebel ng panganib dito kasi mga makakalaban na natin mga sindikato siyempre mahirap na maging pare-pareho lang ng ating attitude natin towards security,” the vice presidential spokesman said.

[This is dangerous because we will be going against syndicates here of course it is difficult to think that we will have the same attitude towards security.]

Asked if Robredo will also be looking to improve the security of law enforcers who operate during drug busts, Gutierrez said they are looking at improving intelligence gathering as well as the equipment used by operatives during drug busts.

Gutierrez noted that Robredo will not only focus on stopping senseless killings related to the war on drugs but also in protecting the lives of law enforcers during armed encounters with illegal drug traffickers.  /muf