Vice President Sara Duterte speaks to the media at the Office of The Vice President in Mandaluyong City on December 11, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Saturday said the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group has been "reorganized" as part of efforts to streamline the military that started in February.

In a release, the AFP said the vice president's security unit had not been disbanded but had been reorganized into the AFP Security and Protection Group to "unify security and protection operations."

It said the reorganization "ensures the continued, uninterrupted, and robust protection of the vice president within a more integrated and optimized framework." 

The AFP announced the designation and activation of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group in June 2022, an expansion of the Vice Presidential Security Detachment, to provide security for then Vice President-elect Sara Duterte.

The AFP said Saturday that the streamlining process was approved by the Department of Defense, which also approved the activation of the VPSPD in 2022.

The military said Saturday that the Security and Protection Battalion had provided security to vice presidents of the Philippines prior to June 2022.

It said the reorganized setup would be a "more efficient and effective way" of protecting Duterte and the future vice presidents.

‘I don’t trust anyone’: Sara Duterte tells AFP not to send security replacements

The AFP said it remains "fully committed" to protecting the vice president and other government officials.

It also appealed to Filipinos to "avoid spreading false or misleading information."

"We enjoin our kababayans to use our communications platforms to promote unity, peace, and understanding, and not to sow discord, hatred, and division," it said.

In December 2024, Vice President Duterte told the AFP after the recall of some members of her security detail that she would not accept replacements.

This came after Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr, AFP chief of staff, announced the temporary replacement of some VPSPG personnel whom the Philippine National Police were investigating in relation to alleged assassination threats made by Duterte against the President, First Lady, and House speaker during an online briefing on Nov. 23, 2024.

VP Sara Duterte security group to be replaced with new military, police personnel – AFP chief

“So kung magtanggal sila, hindi na nila i-replace. Iwan na lang nila yung maiwan and kung wala man maiwan dahil tatanggalin nila lahat,” Duterte said.

(If they recall anyone, they shouldn't send replacements. Just leave the people who will be retained and if nobody will be left, then recall everyone)