Sara Duterte cries ‘political harassment’ over removal of police security

MANILA: Vice President Sara Duterte (pic) called the removal of her 75 police security as a “clear case of political harassment.”

In a four-page open letter posted on her official Facebook page, Duterte slammed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Rommel Marbil for his alleged lies concerning the withdrawal of her police protection detail.

According to the Vice President, her PNP security was pulled out immediately after she resigned from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s Cabinet, her comment on his State of the Nation Address (Sona), and after a video showing Marcos allegedly using illegal drugs surfaced online.

“The relief of the PNP personnel came after I resigned from DepEd after I compared the Sona to a catastrophic event, and after the cocaine video came out,” said Duterte.

“Let us spare our people from all the lies. Let us call it what it is – a clear case of political harassment,” said Duterte.

In the same public letter, Duterte refuted several of PNP chief Marbil’s claims about the withdrawal of her police security, pointing out that no official request was made to the Office of the Vice President regarding the withdrawal of her security personal protection detail – contrary to Marbil’s assertions.

She further noted that opposite to what Marbil said there was “no threat” against her, footage of her and her family leaving the country was publicised, and that police officers recently attempted to “case” her residence where her kids also lived.

“What does “threat” mean to you? Can the threat only come from external elements? Isn’t it a “threat” if the harassment comes from government personnel?" Duterte asked.

She questioned why Marbil left 45 PNP personnel he personally selected for her if there was no threat against her. She then told Marbil to expect a letter about the return of the 45 police officers to the PNP.

“Remember, when it comes to my family’s security, I get to say who is worthy, not you. You are just the law, not God.”

She also contradicted Marbil’s statement that the vice president’s PNP security was removed for the sake of “police visibility,” underscoring that 38 of the 75 PNP personnel covered by the relief order were police officers from Mindanao being transferred to Metro Manila “as if there is no police shortage in Mindanao.”

“If you can put my security in jeopardy, I am worried about the kind of harassment you can do to the common people — just like the intimidation of ordinary citizens for the service of the arrest warrant for Pastor Quiboloy in Davao City recently,” she further said.

INQUIRER.net has already asked the PNP for Marbil’s response to Duterte’s letter but has yet to receive a response as of posting. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN