AFP says 400 personnel secure VP Sara Duterte

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) stated that approximately 400 military personnel are securing Vice President Sara Duterte as part of the VP Security Group under the Presidential Security Command.

AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla clarified that this is a fixed number, with augmentation possible based on engagement requirements.

Padilla assured that there is no imminent threat to the Vice President and that the AFP is committed to protecting VVIPs.

This comes after Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil announced a reduction in her police security detail.

Marbil had previously stated that 31 police personnel remained assigned to the Vice President, emphasizing the decision was not politically motivated and that security details for other officials were also reduced.

Vice President Duterte, however, called the pullout of 75 police officers assigned to her security a "clear case of political harassment" targeting her trusted personnel.

PNP chief Marbil had told a Senate panel that the reduction was to rationalize PNP deployment and increase police visibility, affecting other officials as well.