The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) clarified that the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) was not disbanded but was “reorganized into AFP Security and Protection Group.”
The military issued this clarification after a newspaper reported that AFP Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. had disbanded and deactivated the VPSPG, even citing a February 10 document from the AFP.
According to the AFP, the reorganization is part of the “rationalization and streamlining efforts” approved by the Department of National Defense (DND). The AFP assured the continued protection of the Vice President and stated that the new setup will provide more effective security for the current and future Vice Presidents.
“This administrative adjustment was undertaken to unify security and protection operations. It ensures the continued, uninterrupted and robust protection of the Vice President within a more integrated and optimized framework,” said the AFP.
It explained that the VPSPG was only established in June 2022. Before that, Vice Presidents were protected by the Security and Protection Battalion under the AFP General Headquarters and Headquarters Support Command, without a dedicated military security group.
The AFP also urged the public not to spread misinformation and to verify news through official communication platforms to avoid confusion.
It can be recalled that in November 2024, the VP’s security group was also in the spotlight when some personnel were replaced due to a subpoena related to a police investigation.
In the House investigation into VP Sara Duterte’s use of confidential funds, special disbursing officers from the Department of Education and the Office of the Vice President testified that they released funds to security personnel of both offices, including Colonel Raymund Dante Lachica, who previously headed the VPSPG.
