Reelectionist senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa has four security escorts, the Philippine National Police (PNP) disclosed on Wednesday, March 26, as it rejected his claim of security recall after the arrest of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

While it is true that two police escorts were pulled out from Dela Rosa,  PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said this happened on Jan. 13 this year in compliance with the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) order.

Fajardo was referring to Comelec Resolution 11067, a consolidated resolution that covers gun control and availability of security personnel as part of election security measures.

The resolution, according to Fajardo, led to the recall of all policemen rendering security to all VIPs. 

“So, the report that the recall was done recently is not true,” said Fajardo.

“In fact, our honorable senator (Dela Rosa) may have forgotten to mention that there are four protective security personnel assigned to him,” she added.

Such deployment, according to Fajardo, was approved by the Comelec for Dela Rosa through a Certificate of Authority that will expire on July 11 this year.

The same certificate only allows a maximum of two security details per VIP approved by the Comelec.

"If we are going to be strict on the intent of the letter of the Comelec, it should have been a maximum of two but it all depends on the threat assessment,” said Fajardo.

“In the case of Senator Bato, he has four,” she added.