Duterte yet to formally request security withdrawal, says Defense chief

MANILA — Defense Secretary Gilbert "Gibo" Teodoro said Vice President Sara Duterte has not submitted a formal request to withdraw her security personnel, despite her recent public statements questioning her confidence in those assigned to protect her.

Tedoro made the clarification during an ambush interview on Thursday, addressing ongoing concerns about the Vice President's security arrangements. He noted that while Duterte has expressed reservations about her current security detail, no official request for their removal has been filed with the Department of National Defense.

"She may do so," Teodoro said, leaving open the possibility that Duterte could submit such a request at a later date. The statement comes weeks after the Vice President publicly questioned whether she could trust her security personnel and hinted at potential changes to her protection detail.

The remarks underscore the ongoing strain in relations between Duterte and the national government following her earlier resignation from her Cabinet position and subsequent political tensions with the Marcos administration. The status of her security arrangements remains a closely watched development in the political landscape.

No further details were provided regarding potential timelines or conditions under which a security withdrawal might be approved.