DILG, AFP order recall of Tulfo siblings' bodyguards

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 2, 2019): DILG, AFP order recall of Tulfo siblings' bodyguards

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año on Sunday ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to recall eight police security details of media personality Erwin Tulfo and his three siblings as “standard protocol”.

“I directed the PNP to pull out all police security details of Erwin Tulfo including those with his brothers effective today (June 2),” Año said.

Meanwhile, PNP spokesperson, Col. Bernard Banac, said based on standard protocol, the two PNP security personnel assigned to Erwin, and six others detailed to his brothers Ben, Raffy and sister Jocelyn, will undergo the regular inspection, interview and debriefing this week following an assigned schedule among all PSPG personnel on security detail.

“The continuation of security detail will largely depend on the outcome of this regular review process and the revalidation of the level of threats against the protectees. This standard protocol applies to all authorized protectees, and not only to Erwin Tulfo,” said Banac in statement sent to reporters.

“All authorization of Tulfo siblings will undergo the same review process as ordered by Sec. Año,” he added.

Asked why the Tulfo siblings have security details, Banac said “any person can request for security from the PNP when they feel their life is threatened”.

“Upon request, they will undergo threat assessment, if the threat is confirmed they will be provided security detail,” he said.

Marine bodyguards, too

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also recalled the Marine personnel assigned as security escorts of Special Envoy to China Ramon Tulfo due to shortage of personnel.

“Due to the dearth of personnel, the Philippine Marine Corps has started recalling its Marines (personnel) who are detailed outside the Corps as security detail,” said AFP spokesperson, Marine Brig. Gen. Edgard Arevalo.

Arevalo said the Corps has sent correspondence to their respective principals since last year informing them of the order requiring the Marines to report back to headquarters for consequent deployment to other units.

“Hence, the recall of said security details to Mr. Tulfo, among others. The fact that it took effect only recently is part of the process,” he added.

He added that the AFP has no personnel detailed as security to the Tulfo brothers except for two Marines assigned to Ramon Tulfo, who is the Philippines’ special envoy for public diplomacy to China.

“Marines, who are known for their professionalism, courage, loyalty, discipline, camaraderie, and esprit d’ Corps in their field assignments, are usually requested as security detail which invariably bears on the personnel strength of its units especially those deployed in the frontline,” he added.

It may be recalled that Erwin berated retired Army general and now Department of Social Welfare and Development (DWSD) Secretary Rolando Bautista when the latter begged off from an interview as he was in a meeting with a Singaporean ambassador.

Bautista, a member of the Philippine Military Academy "Sandiwa" Class of 1985, retired as commanding general of the Philippine Army in October 2018.

He was the first commander of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and was later appointed as DSWD secretary after his retirement.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1071301