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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Comelec allowed military security for 'Pulong', AFP says amid viral video

Comelec allowed military security for 'Pulong', AFP says amid viral video

Published May 8, 2025 08:58 am

At A Glance

  • The military, however, said it is invesitgating if the two soldiers in viral video are on the list of those deployed as security for Duterte
  • The two cops in the video were earlier confirmed to be mooonlighting as bodyguards and are now facing diismissal

The deployment of soldiers as security escorts of Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte is authorized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the military said following the revelation of the police that the four bodyguards seen in the viral video of alleged assault were cops and Air Force personnel.

While national police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil confirmed that the two cops seen in the video were moonlighting as Duterte’s bodyguards, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it is not the case with the military personnel.

“The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirms that Representative Paolo Duterte has been duly authorized by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to retain a security detail composed of AFP personnel, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations during the election period,” the AFP said in a statement.

But the same statement disclosed that the military is currently undertaking an internal inquiry to thoroughly verify and validate the identities of the personnel designated to provide security to the Davao City solon.

Marbil earlier vowed to dismiss the two cops in the viral video after an initial probe revealed that they were not authorized to act as security personnel of any person.

Aside from the two cops, Marbil said their commanders will also be dismissed for apparent falsification of documents relating to daily accounting of personnel.

The two policemen, assigned in two separate police stations in Davao City, are no longer reporting to the PNP since the video went viral.

“The AFP will closely coordinate and cooperate fully with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other concerned agencies in relation to any inquiries or investigations pertaining to this matter,” the statement read.

“The AFP remains a professional and disciplined organization committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all personnel conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of military service,” it added.

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