MANILA: The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Thursday (Oct 9) assured that Vice President Sara Duterte’s security detail will remain in place despite the relief of the AFP Security and Protection Group (ASPG) commander over an Ombudsman case.
AFP Public Affairs Office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad told reporters on the sidelines of a defense forum at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City that the ASPG’s mandate to provide security to the vice president and other authorised VIPs remains unchanged.
“Definitely, the vice president did not lose any security and protective detail,” Trinidad said. “The ASPG’s mandate and function is to provide security detail to the Vice President of the Republic and other authorised VIPs. So the protection continues.”
Trinidad added that while the ASPG is not yet fully staffed, it has enough personnel to support daily operations and provide the required security to all of its protectees. He explained that any reassignment of security personnel is coordinated as a courtesy to the protectee.
“It’s not necessarily about approval, but out of courtesy, we introduce the new commander and personnel providing security and protection,” he said. “Nothing has changed, including the team assigned to the Vice President.”
Change in leadership
The AFP earlier reassigned Col. Lachica from his post as ASPG commander back to the Philippine Army following the filing of a case against him before the Office of the Ombudsman. Lt. Col. Joseph Israel Eleosida was appointed acting commander effective Oct 4.
The AFP said the reassignment was made “in view of an existing case filed before the Office of the Ombudsman” involving Col. Lachica and another officer, Col. Dennis Nolasco.
They are respondents in an Ombudsman case involving alleged misuse of confidential funds. The case stemmed from a congressional inquiry last year, where officials from the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd) testified that the two officers were among those who received portions of the funds.
Duterte has denied any wrongdoing, saying the inquiry was politically motivated and aimed at building a case for her impeachment.
Trinidad said the relief of Lachica was in line with AFP protocol for commanders with pending cases.
“In any structure of the Armed Forces, I think it is necessary for a commander to be relieved when they have an existing case,” he said. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
