DND chief: Sara Duterte yet to request security withdrawal but she may

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro – Screengrabbed from video of Noy Morcoso / Inquirer MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte has yet to request the withdrawal of her security detail, but she may do so, according to Defense Secretary Gilbert “Gibo” Teodoro. Teodoro made the statement in an ambush interview on Thursday, amid Duterte’s pronouncements that she no longer had trust in those assigned to her security. “Nasabi ko na na karapatan naman niyang i-request na i-withdraw,” he said. Article continues after this advertisement (I’ve already said that she has the right to request their withdrawal.) Asked if he had received any such requests from the Vice President, Teodoro said, “Wala akong natatanggap.” (I have not received any) The issue over Duterte’s lack of trust in her security stemmed from her concerns raised while she was at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court to post bail for her grave threats case. That time, Duterte said she could no longer trust even her own security detail because she believed they had been picked for the job by the Marcos administration. READ: Sara Duterte posts bail: ‘I don’t trust the court’ Article continues after this advertisement Before she entered the premises, Duterte made a show of her apprehension, saying she did not feel safe and did not trust the court or the police. Despite her lawyers’ attempts to persuade her to go inside, the discussion lasted about 40 minutes before her lawyer Michael Poa finally convinced her to enter the building. Article continues after this advertisement Meanwhile, when asked if Duterte could choose her own security personnel if she requested the withdrawal of those assigned to her, Teodoro answered in the affirmative. “Well, yeah, because, you know, provision of AFP security is a courtesy and a privilege. You can ask for them to be withdrawn if there is a loss of trust and confidence,” he said. Asked again whether Duterte could choose from among AFP or Philippine National Police personnel who would be assigned to her, Teodoro said, “Normally, ako nga, hindi ko pinipili ’yung mga nakatalaga sa akin. Gano’n ang tiwala ko sa sundalo ng Pilipinas.” (Normally, I don’t choose the people assigned to me. That’s how much I trust the soldiers of the Philippines.) “Kasi ang sundalo naman, nasabi ko na nga, mission-trained ’yan. Wala namang personalan ’yon eh,” he added. (Because our soldiers, as I’ve already said, they are mission-trained. There’s nothing personal about it,) Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. The Inquirer sought comment from Duterte’s camp on whether there are plans to withdraw or change her security personnel but has yet to receive a response as of posting time. /jpv