Push Admin

AFP activates unit protecting vice president, family

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="AFP activates Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group. Photo courtesy: AFP/Facebook " src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/news/06/25/vice-presidential-security-protection-group.jpg"/><figcaption>AFP activates Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group. <em>Photo courtesy: AFP/Facebook</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA (UPDATED) – An Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) unit dedicated to protecting the vice president was activated Friday, days before Sara Duterte officially assumes the post. </p><p>The Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) — formerly the Vice Presidential Security Detachment attached to the Presidential Security Group — will ensure the safety and security of the vice president and her family, according to the AFP.</p><p>The AFP said the VPSPG is now a separate unit and is &quot;headed by an O-6 grade officer (rank of colonel/navy captain).&quot;</p><p>&quot;The AFP saw it fitting to provide the Office of the Vice President a dedicated unit that shall ensure the safety and security of the second-highest elected official in the country,&quot; AFP chief of staff Andres Centino said in a statement.</p><p>He led the activation ceremony Friday at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.</p><p>Lt. Col. Rene J Giroy PA was appointed the unit’s first group commander.</p><div><strong>DUTERTE &#x27;THANKFUL&#x27; FOR NEW SECURITY UNIT</strong></div><p>In a statement on Saturday, Duterte thanked the Department of National Defense (DND) and the AFP for the new security detail given to the OVP.</p><p>&quot;The activation of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) is commendable as it will resolve the matter of continuity in security for all vice presidents of the Philippines,&quot; she said.</p><p>&quot;This AFP initiative also highlights the importance of having an independent group that will provide all Philippine vice presidents with the necessary security and protection,&quot; she added.</p><p>Duterte lauded AFP officials for their &quot;foresight&quot; in the activation of the new unit, as it may solve challenges if ever the president and vice president &quot;face the misfortune of having strained relations&quot; in the future.</p><p>Duterte and President-elect Ferdinand Marcos are constitutionally mandated to begin their terms at noon on June 30. They ran under the same ticket during the recently held elections.</p><p>Breaking with tradition, Duterte took her oath as the country&#x27;s 15th vice president last June 19 instead of June 30. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/19/22/sara-duterte-takes-oath-as-philippines-15th-vp">Sara Duterte takes oath as Philippines&#x27; 15th vice president</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/17/22/comelec-official-nothing-illegal-with-oath-of-office-before-june-30">Comelec official: Nothing illegal with oath of office before June 30</a></li></ul><div><strong> RELATED STORY</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2093413" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div>

The Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group will ensure the safety and security of the vice president and her family, according to the AFP.