Sara Duterte rebukes PNP chief over 'lies', 'political harassment' after cop removal

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday released a scathing open letter accusing Philippine National Police chief Gen. Rommel Marbil of issuing false statements to the public about the circumstances behind the pullout of her security detail.

The letter, posted on Duterte's personal Facebook page and shared by the Office of the Vice President (OVP), also claimed "political harassment" against Duterte after she said cops recently visited her area of residence to conduct "casing" and find out where she lives.

The vice president alleged that Marbil had repeatedly misled the public in his media interviews about the withdrawal of the 75 PNP personnel previously assigned to her.

Contrary to Marbil's statement, Duterte said the OVP did not receive a request to reduce her security detail and that the PNP had unilaterally decided to withdraw the cops from their assignments.

"Hindi na kami nakipagtalo dahil ikaw naman ang batas 'di ba? Kasunod nito ay lumabas na ang Relief Order na iniutos mo. Ito ay base na rin sa dokumento ng PNP," Duterte said.

(We didn't argue anymore because you're the law, right? After this, the Relief Order you ordered came out. This is also based on the PNP document.)

The vice president also scored the PNP chief's assertion that there are no existing threats against her, saying her family's security was recently jeopardized after the release of unauthorized footage of them at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Duterte last week drew flak after a photo of her at NAIA made rounds on social media during the onslaught of Typhoon Carina. The OVP later confirmed Duterte's personal trip was approved by the Office of the President but acknowledged its timing was "unfortunate."

"Hindi ba't mayroong malisyosong pagpapalabas ng video footage noong ako'y nasa NAIA? Kuha sa isang lugar kung saan pawang mga empleyado lamang ng paliparan at piling mga tao ang maaring nandoon," Duterte said.

(Wasn't there a malicious release of video footage when I was at NAIA? Taken in a place where only airport employees and select individuals are allowed to be?)

"Hindi na baleng ako, ngunit nakuha at naisapubliko rin sa naturang video ang aking