DAVAO CITY – The Department of Defense (DND) has approved the inclusion of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) as one of the sub-units of the Presidential Security Command of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
In Department Circular No. 13 signed by DND Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr., it said that the decision is in conjunction with reorganizing the Presidential Security Group into the AFP’s Presidential Security Command. The circular shall take effect immediately.
The VPSPG was activated in June 2022 to provide the Office of the Vice President with a dedicated unit to ensure the safety and security of the second-highest elected official in the country.
Former President Rodrigo R. Duterte (FPRRD) Supporters, however, questioned the decision.
“Why do it only now? Why do it suddenly when the President and the Vice President are not on good terms,” the FPRRD Supporters said in their recognized Facebook page with over 2,000 reactions, 238 comments, and 239 shares as of posting time.
“In the first place, isn't the activation of the VPSPG designed to solve the challenges if, in the future, the Vice President (Sara Duterte) and the President (Ferdinand Marcos Jr.) face the misfortune of having strained relations?” the group added.
The FPRRD Supporters emphasized that the VPSPG resolves the continuity of security for all country vice presidents. It said the AFP initiatives highlight the importance of having an independent group to provide security and protection to the Vice President.
Meanwhile, 41 personnel of the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) assigned as security detail to Vice President Sara Duterte have been relieved and ordered to report to the National Capital Region Police Office effective immediately.
“What remains of VP Sara's security detail now are those from the PSG since the VPSG had been dissolved and folded into the new Presidential Security Command under the Office of the President,” the FPRRD Supporters said.
The FPRRD Supporters, which recently confirmed the legitimacy of their Facebook page, have been expressing support for the former Chief Executive and the Vice President. The group is also calling everyone to protect Vice President Duterte.