Vice President and outgoing Education Secretary Sara Z. Duterte plants a tree during the Department of Education Turnover Ceremony at the Bulwagan ng Karunungan, Department of Education Central Office in Pasig City on July 18, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA (UPDATE) — Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday thanked her allies and supporters who "volunteered" to be part of her security team following the recall of 75 policemen assigned to her.

• VP Duterte says pullout of police security 'political harassment'

"Nagpapasalamat ako kay Senador Dela Rosa, Senador Go at Senador Padilla, mga AFP at PNP personnel, sa mga kababaihan, at lahat ng ordinaryong mamamayan sa inyong pagtugon sa panawagan ni Senador Bato ng boluntaryong pagtulong para sa aking seguridad," Duterte said in a statement.

(I thank Senators Bato dela Rosa, Bong Go, and Robin Padilla, as well as AFP and PNP personnel, women and ordinary Filipinos who agreed to help me in my security concerns.)

On Monday, Dela Rosa urged former Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel to volunteer and address her security woes.

• Bato, nanawagan sa mga dating pulis at militar na maging volunteer security ni VP Duterte

Sen. Imee Marcos on Tuesday also appealed for the restoration of Duterte's security detail "ASAP."

"First, she is the 2nd highest elected official in the country whose safety must never be compromised. Second, she is a Duterte, who, like her father, is a staunch defender of law and order, hence topping the CPP-NPA's order of battle," Marcos said in a statement. 

'PROTECT MY FAMILY' 

The Vice President said she understood the danger that comes from being a public official, adding that her supporters should not be worried about her.

However, Duterte said she only has one wish to her supporters: for them to protect her family and to not let anyone get away with harming them.

"Isa lang ang hiling ko sa inyo — ang kaligtasan ng aking pamilya. Huwag ninyong payagan ang anumang karahasan sa aking ina, asawa at apat na anak, personal man o sa internet. At kung sakali man, huwag ninyong palampasin ang sinumang gagawa ng kapahamakan laban sa kanila," Duterte said.

• Sara Duterte resigns from Marcos Cabinet

(I only have one request to you, the security of my family. Don't let anyone hurt my mother, husband, and 4 children, in person or online. And if ever it happens, don't let anyone get away with it.)

PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil earlier said the 75 police escorts initially detailed to Duterte were recalled to augment police forces in the National Capital Region.

• PNP chief: Some of VP Duterte’s police escorts transferred to address lack of cops in NCR

In response via an open letter, Duterte said the recall was "political harassment" and accused Marbil of lying to the public.

On Tuesday, the PNP refused to comment on Duterte's accusation but reiterated that the pull out of cops was justified. They added that they are open to a dialogue with the official. —With a report from Raya Capulong, ABS-CBN News

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