Activation ceremony of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (Photo courtesy of AFP)
MANILA – The Department of Defense (DND) has approved the activation of the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG), a dedicated unit that will ensure the safety and security of the Vice President and family.
In a ceremony held at the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) general headquarters on Friday, Chief of Staff Gen. Andres Centino led the activation of the VPSPG, which was formerly the Vice Presidential Security Detachment.
Centino installed Lt. Col. Rene Giroy as the first Commander of VPSPG.
“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,” he said.
“I am confident that the newly-designated VPSPG Commander and the rest of the officers and enlisted personnel entrusted to ensure the safety, security, and welfare of the Vice President and her family shall perform their responsibilities to the best of their abilities,” he added.
In a statement, Vice President-elect Sara Duterte thanked Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and the DND and AFP organizations “for the positive response and action to the request that a security unit separate from the Presidential Security Group be created and be assigned to the Office of the Vice President”.
“The activation of the VPSPG is commendable as it will resolve the matter of continuity in security for all vice presidents of the Philippines,” read Duterte’s statement issued from Davao City.
“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,” she added. (PNA)
