AFP: Paolo Duterte authorized to retain security detail

MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Rep. Paolo Duterte is authorized to retain security detail from the military, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confirmed on Thursday.

According to AFP public affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad, the Commission on Elections duly authorized Duterte to retain a security detail composed of military personnel, “in accordance with applicable rules and regulations during the election period.”

“In line with this, the AFP is currently undertaking an internal inquiry to thoroughly verify and validate the identities of the personnel designated to provide security to Representative Duterte,” Trinidad said in a statement.

It was Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Rommel Marbil who confirmed on Wednesday that Duterte had two AFP personnel as security detail, aside from the two police personnel.

Marbil said the police officers face potential administrative cases for dishonesty after allegedly “moonlighting” as bodyguards for Duterte.


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2 cops face raps for ‘moonlighting’ as Rep. Duterte’s bodyguards

The police officers and the two AFP personnel were with Duterte during an altercation in a Davao City establishment in February caught on CCTV, according to Marbil./das