Senator Imee Marcos: Vice President Sara Duterte should have her security detail back

CEBU, Philippines — Senator Imee Marcos said yesterday that Vice President Sara Duterte should have her security detail back.

“VP Sara Z. Duterte should have her security detail back ASAP. First, she is the 2nd highest elected official in the country whose safety must never be compromised,” said the senator in a statement.

The senator said that Duterte, like her father, is a staunch defender of law and order, hence topping the CPP-NPA's order of battle.

“At sino naman yang Rommel Marbil? Ni hindi ko nga yan kilala,” the senator added.

In a separate statement, the vice president expressed gratitude to Senators Bong Go, Bato dela Rosa, Robinhoood Padilla, personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police, the women’s sector, and ordinary citizens for responding to dela Rosa’s call to help secure her.

“Huwag kayong mag-alala sa akin. At hindi ninyo kailangan mag-ambag ng pera para sa security ko. Ang pagtatrabaho sa pamahalaan ay pag-alay ng buhay para sa bayan. Alam nating lahat na bahagi ito ng serbisyo,” said Duterte.

“Isa lang ang hiling ko sa inyo — ang kaligtasan ng aking pamilya. Huwag ninyong payagan ang anumang karahasan sa aking ina, asawa at apat na anak, personal man o sa internet. At kung sakali man, huwag ninyong palampasin ang sinumang gagawa ng kapahamakan laban sa kanila,” the vice president added.

On Monday, the vice president issued an open letter to Major General Rommel Francisco Marbil telling him that the reduction of her security details will not affect her work as vice president.

“Hangad ko sana na matapos na ang usaping ito dahil hindi hamak na napakaraming mga suliranin ang ating bansa na higit na mahalaga kaysa sa aking proteksyon.  Subalit tila nakatatlong interview ka na patungkol sa akin. Sa isang banda, naiintindihan ko kayo sapagkat natural lang sa mga nagsisinungaling na magkaroon ng sari-saring kwento at dahilan. Pero hindi ko na maatim ang tuloy-tuloy na panlilinlang sa aking mga kababayan,” the vice president said.

“Uulitin ko, wala akong problema sa pagbawi sa mga PNP personnel bilang security team ng Office of the Vice President (OVP).! Kaya kong magtrabaho ng walang security. Ngunit may problema ako sa mga kasinungalingang ipinapahayag sa taumbayan — lalo na kung ang mga kasinungalingang ito ay mula mismo sa pinakamataas na opisyal ng kapulisan,” Duterte said.

She stated that her security details were relieved after she resigned as the Department of Education secretary. This decision came about following her comparison of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s latest State of the Nation Address to a catastrophic event and the release of the cocaine video.

“Let us spare our people from all the lies. Let us call it what it is — a clear case of political harassment,” the vice president added. — (FREEMAN)